A spirited Avenue comeback reinvigorated their fading play-off hopes as they overcame AFC Telford United at the Horsfall Stadium.

Mark Bower made four changes from the side that suffered a crushing defeat to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, with experienced midfield duo Danny Boshell and Nicky Clee returning alongside Steven Drench and Gianluca Havern. Matt Hill and Oli Johnson both featured despite their dismissals in the previous game.

The best of the early opportunities fell to the home side, with Nicky Wroe and Shane Killock seeing close-range efforts blocked and frantically hacked away after the pair pounced on a deflected free-kick delivery.

The Bucks very nearly self-destructed shortly after as a weak header back to the goalkeeper from Dominic Smith allowed Wroe to intercept. Luckily for the visitors, a heavy touch allowed Ben Wilson to collect.

The visitors did, however, grow in confidence as the game progressed and very nearly opened the scoring through defender Shane Sutton. Telford’s skipper powered a header towards goal after meeting a corner delivery only for Drench to make a terrific stop to deny him at point blank range.

Avenue then came close to breaking the deadlock with a header as Danny Boshell made a late run into the box and rattled the crossbar with his effort.

Controversy was the last thing Avenue will have wanted following the dubious nature of Saturday’s red cards, but it came nonetheless as Killock brought down Kane Richards and the referee pointed to the spot. The official was crowded in the aftermath of the decision with players convinced it took place outside of the box but a spot-kick was awarded. Marcus Dinanga stepped up and coolly slotted home to fire the Bucks ahead.

HALF-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 0-1 AFC Telford United

An injury forced Danny Boshell to be withdrawn at the interval, with on-loan Guiseley forward Frank Mulhern entering the fray in his place.

It proved to be an inspired switch, as the loanee netted his first goal in Avenue colours with a flicked header past Wilson to draw level.

Telford then had a golden opportunity to regain their lead after Elliot Newby’s effort was palmed into the path of Dinanga, who blazed over from six yards despite demonstrating composure with his earlier finish.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between as the final whistle approached, with a John Marsden strike that trickled into the Drench’s clutches being the most notable incident in a lull in entertainment and quality.

That was until Mulhern edged Avenue ahead with three minutes left on the clock, rising to meet an in-swinging delivery from Hill and glancing a header across Wilson and into the back of the net.

FULL-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 AFC Telford United

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Boshell (Mulhern 45’), Vidal, Johnson, Clee (Smith 36’, replaced by Spencer 80’).

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall.

AFC Telford United: Wilson, White (Murphy 89’), Harris, Smith, Sutton (c), Deeney, Lussey (Giles 80’), Cowans, Richards (Marsden 74’), Dinanga, Newby.

Attendance: 334

Referee: Dean Watson

Unused substitutes: Johnson, Singh.

Two dubious red card decisions paved the way for FC United of Manchester to comprehensively defeat Bradford Park Avenue at Broadhurst Park.

Mark Bower shuffled the pack once again, making three changes to the side that were held by Alfreton Town a fortnight ago. Nicky Clee dropped out of the squad altogether, whilst Gianluca Havern and Danny Boshell settled for a place on the bench. Shane Killock replaced Havern in the heart of defence, Jamie Spencer returned to the midfield and Wayne Brooksby regained his spot on the right flank after overcoming his injury troubles.

The first-half certainly lived up to the pre-match expectations, as the boisterous supporters from both sides were treated to a thoroughly entertaining, end-to-end encounter.

The attacking intent of both sides was evident, with both the hosts and visitors showing little hesitation in piling bodies forward.

The hosts looked to test Ed Hall early on, but the young stopper demonstrated why Mark Bower has placed faith in him with a series of saves.

Jamie Spencer almost broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, but his long-range piledriver was tipped over the crossbar by Lloyd Allinson.

Former Avenue cult hero Tom Greaves then came close to opening the scoring for the hosts, sliding and failing to capitalise on a Craig Lindfield cross that evaded him by mere inches.

Chaos then ensued in the closing minutes of the first-half as Matt Hill received his marching orders to the shock of the ground, after seemingly making a strong-but-fair challenge.

The resulting free-kick was rifled into the top corner by Jeff King, stunning Avenue and their supporters.

Moments later, the shock turned to fury as Oli Johnson was dismissed in as equally bizarre fashion for a foul that didn’t seem deserving of the punishment it received.

Avenue struggled to remain in contention after the break and were dealt a further blow in the shape of an injury to Adam Boyes, who joined Rob Atkinson in the treatment room after the defender’s earlier withdrawal.

The hosts doubled their advantage with another King free-kick, with a deflection helping it on its way as Hall was rendered helpless.

With Avenue camped in their own half, substitute Gerard Garner hammered home from close-range after the ball broke loose in the box to extend FC United’s lead.

A Shane Killock handball presented the hosts with another opportunity to find the back of the net and King converted from twelve yards with an audacious chip down the middle.

Avenue supporters remained loud and passionate, but their side faced an uphill battle to regain a foothold in the game and predictably failed to do so.

The game finished 4-0, with Mark Bower sympathetic towards the travelling supporters at the final whistle after two red cards marred the encounter.

FC United of Manchester: Allinson, Senior, Higham, Kay, Hughes, Fagbola, Crawford (Garner 65’), Irwin, Greaves, King (McCarthy 79’), Lindfield (c) (Glynn 36’).

Unused substitutes: Racchi, Tattum.

Bradford Park Avenue: Hall, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Atkinson (Toulson 26’), Killock, Brooksby, Vidal, Boyes (Mulhern 45’), Johnson, Spencer (Boshell 55’).

Unused substitutes: Havern, Smith.

Referee: David Underwood