FOLLOWING Tuesday night’s gripping FA Trophy defeat at home to Halifax Town, Bradford Park Avenue’s attentions turn back to National League North survival.

Mark Bower’s men pushed the National League Shaymen all the way at the Horsfall Stadium in midweek, eventually losing 5-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal time.

Three times Bradford led, and three times they were pegged back - including in the 93rd minute, when Tom Bradbury headed in to cancel out what Isaac Marriott must have thought was his 89th-minute winner for the Avenue.

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage 6-2 at Gateshead, Bradford’s priorities are all now on the league, in which they sit 20th of 22 teams.

Bradford’s three league wins this season have contributed to a points tally of 14, which keeps them four off the bottom, and level with 19th-placed Gloucester City. They are just one win away from 17th-placed Farsley Celtic.

Their last victory came in a relegation six-pointer at home to basement side AFC Telford United, against whom they won 3-2 after battling back from two goals down.

Bradford no longer count former City defender Keith Lowe among their numbers, but there may still be a familiar face for the visitors on Boxing Day with striker Rob Guilfoyle now playing his trade in West Yorkshire. The 19-year-old has made six league appearances this season.

Meanwhile, Bradford have also secured an extension to the loan of Reece Staunton, who is on his second short-term deal with the club from Bradford City.

Defender Matty Downing has had his contract with the club terminated.