Avro manager Alex Frost refused to be too downhearted after a goalless draw with Albion Sports at the Vestacare Stadium meant that his side missed their initial opportunity to make it through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history, writes Liam Bambridge.

“It may sound crazy to say this as it is the first game that we have not won, but that was probably the proudest I have been about a performance all season,” said Frost. “We had to change our keeper at the last minute, and we had three or four lads carrying niggles. However, they have run through brick walls for us again and the result is another clean sheet.”

Despite drawing a blank at the other end for the first time, the home side had chances to book their place in the next round. Michael Afuye was denied his fourth goal of the season by an offside flag, while Kane Wallwork smashed an unstoppable free kick against the underside of the bar, and visiting keeper George McMahon pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Joe Rathbone’s powerful header from an Afuye corner.

“I think overall we deserved to win the game,” admitted Frost. “On another day the flag does not go up, Kane’s shot bounces down and over the line, and I still do not know how the keeper kept out Joe’s header.

“The wind made it difficult for both sides, and they are a big, physical team who defended really well when they needed to do so. We are disappointed of course, but there is no reason for us to believe that we cannot finish the job off on Wednesday night.”

A punishing schedule in August is beginning to take its toll on a squad which has already expended a huge amount of energy in an amazing run of ten and a half hours of football without conceding a goal.

Keeper Grant Shenton was ruled out just before kick off with a thigh injury, while midfielder Adam Owen had to be withdrawn at half time and defender Sam Rathbone limped off early in the second period.

Frost is well aware of the logic behind such a busy start to the campaign, but is concerned about its potential consequences.

“I know the league is looking to get half the season finished by Christmas, as they do not want teams to be playing three games a week in March and April because of postponements. I understand the motivation behind that, but I think there needs to be more consideration as to what it means for the players. By next Monday we will have played ten games in 30 days having played just one competitive fixture in the previous four months. I know

“It is the same for everyone, but these lads are part time players with full time jobs, many of which require plenty of physical work - it is not as if they can just go and put their feet up in between games. I think we are seeing the kinds of injuries which are a classic sign of their bodies being put through too much in too short a period of time.”

Avro were due to play their eighth game in league and cup tonight against Bury AFC, but will instead travel to The Citadel in Leeds tomorrow night with the winners to travel to Guiseley AFC in the first qualifying round.

Their hectic month concludes with trips to Emley in the FA Vase and a league game at Longridge Town on Friday and Bank Holiday Monday respectively.