LAST Saturday’s defeat underlined the enormity of new Bradford Park Avenue boss Mark Bower’s task but he believes he can turn the club’s fortunes around.

Avenue were effectively consigned to their ninth consecutive defeat in the National North before the midway point of the first half at FC Halifax Town as the Shaymen went three goals up inside 20 minutes in a 4-0 win.

It may have been Avenue’s tenth loss on the spin, including their FA Cup exit to Salford City, but it was Bower’s first game in charge after taking over just two days earlier.

He said: “I wouldn’t have taken the job if I thought we were already dead and buried. We all knew that it was a big challenge but there is still a long way to go.

“That first game was always going to be difficult as Halifax away is never easy but we were never expected to do anything there given the league positions of the clubs.

“I was looking ahead to two weeks without a game after that because I knew that we would have time to work with the players and believe me, we got them working in the training sessions this week.”

Avenue are without a league fixture today because it is FA Cup third qualifying round weekend. That has given Bower and his assistant Danny Boshell, who made his Avenue debut in the centre of midfield against Halifax, time to work with the squad.

Bower added: “Ultimately the aim is to stay in this division and everyone is aware that it will be a challenge as a quarter of the season has already gone. I have been told that there will be a bit (of funding) for us to work with so we have some scope.

“When you’re bottom of the league it’s always difficult because of the mindset but as I’ve said there is still a long way to go and things can change very quickly with a little run.”