BRADFORD Park Avenue are in the midst of an impromptu autumn break and although the club tried to fill the void with a rearranged fixture, manager Mark Bower feels the fortnight off could be a benefit.

Avenue were knocked out of the FA Cup a week last Monday in a third qualifying-round replay by Harrogate Town. This weekend sees the fourth qualifying-round ties being played and some of Avenue's rivals in Vanarama National League North are still involved.

Several are not but, despite making calls, Avenue failed to find a club willing to bring a game forward.

Bower said: "We contacted a lot of clubs, teams that we are due to face in the middle of winter when it's quite possible the weather might lead to a postponement, but we couldn't arrange anything at home or away.

"We're doing well in the league, just outside the play-off places, and were unfortunate to go out of the cup against our league leaders Harrogate.

"We didn't really want a fortnight off at this stage, we wanted another game on the back of the 1-1 draw against Kidderminster last Saturday.

"But no-one wanted to play us. It's funny that because this time last year, when we were rock-bottom in the table and out of the FA Cup, everybody wanted to play us."

Bower has had to mix and match his starting line-up over recent weeks due to injuries and suspensions and has had his right-hand man, assistant player-manager Danny Boshell, out of his plans as he tries to recover from a niggling injury that has taken more time to heal than expected.

"We don't have a competitive game until next Saturday when we go up to Darlington and before a big game like that you would ideally like your players in peak condition," said Bower.

"It's not the best thing to have a fortnight off before a game like that – but we have had a lot of players struggling to overcome knocks and strains and a few out longer-term, so the extra time between games could be a bonus in that respect.

"Every game presents a different challenge and we have missed key players, such as Danny, here and there. But we played Nicky Wroe and Adam Nowakowski in the middle against Kidderminster and I thought they did very well in a tough game.

"We have got some very good players in our squad now and although we can't get all of the ingredients on the pitch at the same time, we are still playing well and picking points up – and full credit to the boys for that because no matter who plays, they are doing the job."