A late equaliser from former Bradford man Lee Spires denied his former club a victory in the first friendly fixture of the summer.

Mark Bower named a starting eleven comprised of first-team talent, trialists and Academy defender Lewis Johnson. The latter featured as a substitute against Brackley Town in the league last season and was called upon again after impressing for the club’s youth side.

Bradford started the game on the front foot, with Danny East and Johnson forcing the Silsden goalkeeper to race out and collect deliveries ahead of a lurking Adam Boyes.

The Cobbydalers’ first glimpse of goal came when their central midfielder wriggled away from Danny Boshell and saw his powerful strike held by Steven Drench.

However, their National League North opponents began to ask questions of the Silsden stopper on a more frequent basis as the half progressed. A Bradford trialist blazed over from close-range after the ball fell kindly for him in the box, a chance that was followed by another almost immediately. A trialist right-back raced down the right flank before pulling back to Danny East, who struck with venom but couldn’t find the right side of the crossbar.

The prolific Boyes had cut a frustrated figure throughout the opening thirty minutes but soon had an opportunity to open the scoring. An inch-perfect cross from the left found its way to the striker but his header looped over the crossbar.

The visitors then won a free-kick in a central position after a trialist was hauled to the ground, but the same hopeful lifted his effort over the woodwork.

On the stroke of half-time, a Bradford trialist tried his luck from distance but was denied by the Silsden stopper, who managed to hold on to the well-struck effort.

HALF-TIME: Silsden 0-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Mark Bower introduced a new cohort of trialists after the break, as well as first-teamers Ryan Toulson, Ben McKenna, Gianluca Havern, Nicky Wroe and Shane Killock. Academy forward Bradley Oliver also entered the fray, with fellow youngster Matt Rowntree joining him midway through the second-half. Adam Nowakowski also featured, taking the place of a trialist during the final 45 minutes.

Bradford started brightly, with Ben McKenna embarking on a mazy run down the left before serving the ball on a plate for a trialist. The hopeful, however, rifled over the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box.

The visitors were soon rewarded for their pressure when a trialist drifted out to the right before seeing a chipped effort sail over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

The opening goal seemed to light a spark in Silsden, who began causing problems for Bradford. The hosts’ right-sided midfielder unleashed a powerful strike that forced Bradford’s trialist goalkeeper to parry and pounce on.

The trialist stopper was then called into action when a Cobbydalers forward struck from around 25-yards, but he scrambled across to hold the effort.

Bradford were, however, unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Luca Havern was seemingly shoved to the ground inside the box. Despite protests, the referee didn’t give Silsden’s Yorkshire counterparts an opportunity to double their lead from 12-yards.

The returning McKenna had posed a threat throughout the second-half and after skipping past a Cobbydalers defender with ease, was clipped and gave a trialist an opportunity to try his luck from a free-kick. The resulting effort was struck through a gap in the wall but couldn’t find a way past the Silsden stopper.

As the final whistle approached, it was clear that Bradford weren’t content with their advantage as they continued to hunt for a second goal. Oliver bustled around the pitch, continually putting Silsden defenders under pressure and demonstrating an ability to bring others into the game with impressive link-play. The partnership of Rowntree and Wroe in midfield proved effective and Silsden found breaking through the lines difficult, enabling Bradford to contain their threat and attack with intent.

Despite continuing to press forward, a late Silsden sucker-punch denied Bradford victory. Lee Spires, a former player at the Horsfall Stadium, was in the right place at the right time to steer past Bradford’s trialist goalkeeper and earn the Cobbydalers a draw.

Bradford will face their next pre-season test on Saturday when they take on Hemsworth Miners Welfare at the Fitzwilliam Stadium.

FULL-TIME: Silsden 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Bradford (Park Avenue) first-half: Drench, Trialist, Clee, Trialist, L. Johnson, Trialist, Trialist, Boshell, Boyes, East, Trialist.

Bradford (Park Avenue) second-half: Trialist, Toulson, McKenna, Trialist (Rowntree 70’), Havern, Trialist (Nowakowski 70’), Wroe, Trialist, Killock, Oliver.

Bradford Park Avenue’s season was brought to an abrupt end as Aaron Williams’ 110^th minute winner condemned Mark Bower’s side to defeat in the play-off semi-finals.

After the heroics of the previous weeks, Avenue named an unchanged starting eleven for their third meeting with Wembley-bound Brackley Town.

The opening fifteen minutes were tense, and understandably so considering the prize at stake. Successive deliveries from the left from Shane Killock failed to pay dividends, as both were hooked clear by the impressive Gareth Dean.

Brackley were soon appealing for a penalty as Steven Drench collided with Aaron Williams as the pair contested a loose ball but the official ignored the protests.

As the hosts began to take control of the game, James Armson spread the ball wide to Williams before darting into the box and getting on the end of his teammates’ cross. His header, however, couldn’t find the right side of the crossbar.

Williams continued to cause problems with his deliveries and the imposing Dean proved to be a threat in the air. The latter headed wide from a Williams cross and was ignored by the official whilst claiming he was shoved as he made a connection with the ball.

Avenue finally carved Brackley open when Frank Mulhern slipped through to Jamie Spencer, who saw his low drive deflected wide by the outstretched leg of Matt Lowe.

The visitors began to hit their stride as the half-time whistle approached and Spencer’s drilled effort fizzed agonisingly wide of the post.

Opportunities become increasingly frequent after the break and the Saints very nearly broke the deadlock through skipper Dean. He arched a header goal wards after meeting a Glenn Walker delivery but was thwarted by Nicky Wroe, who hooked off the line.

Avenue did, however, have opportunities of their own and Danny Lewis produced a string of spectacular saves to deny Avenue an opener. A powerful drive from Mulhern was tipped over the crossbar by the Saints stopper, who would prove to be impossible to beat.

Steven Drench then provided an impressive stop of his own, diving to palm a well-struck Shane Byrne shot wide of the post.

Mulhern had already tested Lewis with a drive from distance and did so again when his thunderbolt of a strike was scooped over the crossbar by the in-form goalkeeper.

He continued to be a thorn in Avenue’s side, keeping out a powerful strike from Oli Johnson in impressive fashion.

With both sides feeling the effects of the gruelling sun and competitive nature of the game, there was a lull in entertainment as the final whistle approached.

Avenue did, however, almost nick a last-gasp winner when Spencer slid across the box to Johnson who was dispossessed by Dean at the vital moment.

Boyes then failed to maintain his composure after Luca Havern had flicked into his path, drilling his effort straight at Lewis.

After the sides couldn’t be separated in normal time, extra-time was required to find a winner.

Five minutes into extra-time, Johnson was teed up by Boyes but saw his strike cannon off the back of Dean before being hacked clear.

Substitute Andy Brown then came close but could only find the stand behind the goal with his looped header.

On the stroke of the extra-time interval, Drench produced one of the most remarkable saves witnessed this season, tipping a Williams header on to the post when the net seemed destined to bulge.

Brackley delivered the fatal blow five minutes after the extra-time break as Williams stabbed into the bottom corner despite the ball seemingly being handled in the build-up.

Lewis ensured that the Saints advanced into the play-off final with an excellent stop to keep out a late strike from Wroe, before Ryan Toulson squandered Avenue’s final chance by skewing wide after the ball had fallen kindly for him on the edge of the box.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Lowe, Franklin, Byrne, Gudger, Dean (c), G. Walker (Murombedzi 90’), Armson, Ndlovu (Brown 91’), Williams, A. Walker.

Unused substitutes: Graham, Iaciofano.

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Atkinson, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby (Boshell 61’), Spencer (Toulson 109’), Boyes, Johnson (Vidal 98’), Mulhern.

Unused substitutes: Hall, Smith.

Referee: Martin Woods

Bradford Park Avenue stormed into the semi-finals of the play-offs with a 2-0 win over favourites Kidderminster Harriers.

 The clinical front two of Adam Boyes and Oli Johnson both weighed in with goals as Avenue ensured they would be Brackley Town’s opponents in a semi-final showdown on Sunday.

Mark Bower saw no need to make any changes following last Saturday’s win over John Eustace’s side, naming an unchanged starting eleven.

The opening exchanges were tense and nervy, but a shock lead was taken by the visitors after just ten minutes. Johnson drove forward before slipping through to Boyes with a perfectly weighted pass and the striker made no mistake in coolly dispatching past Brandon Hall.

The hosts rallied after the shock of the early opener, but Avenue were buoyed by an in-form Steven Drench, who made crucial stops to deny Elton Ngwatala and Dan Bradley. The latter had already rifled a shot wide from close-range when he was thwarted by Drench and frustration was already showing on the faces of Harriers players.

 With half-time on the horizon, Bradley came close again with a looping header that Drench was forced to pluck out of the top corner.

The hosts were presented with an opportunity to equalise from a free-kick on the stroke of half-time when Rob Atkinson scythed down Ngwatala, but James McQuilkin drove his effort into the wall.

After the interval, Harriers emerged with the determination and attacking intent you’d expect from a side looking to overturn a deficit in a play-off game but struggled to break the visitors down. They were almost gifted an equaliser by a bizarre bounce that almost allowed a speculative long-range effort from Ngwatala to loop over Drench. Luckily, the shot struck the goalkeeper’s shoulder before flying harmlessly over the crossbar.

A frantic goal-line scramble had the hearts of the travelling supporters in their mouths, but Declan Weeks blasted over when the ball eventually broke loose.

Avenue spent a prolonged period camped in their own half but had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 63^rd minute. Boyes broke down the left before opting to shoot instead of square to an unmarked Frank Mulhern, squandering a rare chance uncharacteristically.

The direct Ngwatala was a persistent thorn in Avenue’s side and almost registered an assist when his inch-perfect cross was headed wide by Joe Ironside.

As an equaliser began to look more likely by the minute, Joel Taylor blazed over despite being in acres of space after the ball arrived at his feet at the back-post.

Holes began to appear in the hosts’ backline as bodies piled forward and Mark Bower’s side nearly capitalised when Mulhern’s low drive struck the post before Boyes’ looping header cannoned off the woodwork in the space of a minute.

Harriers were eventually punished for abandoning their defensive shape when Johnson turned in Boyes’ low-drilled cross to hand Avenue a two-goal cushion.

The second goal deflated John Eustace’s side, who desperately looked to claw one back to no avail. The visitors even came close to adding a third when Wayne Brooksby forced Hall to beat away his chipped effort in stoppage time.

Avenue will now travel to Brackley Town on Sunday, who host the odds-defying Yorkshire side for a 3pm kick-off.

Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Taylor, Croasdale, Horsfall, O’Connor, Weeks (Waring 85’), McQuilkin (Sonupe 61’), Ironside, Bradley, Ngwatala.

Unused substitutes: Brown, Austin, Pearson.

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Atkinson, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer, Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern (Vidal 84’).B

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall, Boshell, Smith.

 Referee: Declan Bourne

Late winner send Avenue into dreamland

Bradford Park Avenue ended the regular season by defying the odds and securing a play-off spot thanks to a dramatic late winner from Adam Boyes.

Mark Bower initially named an unchanged starting eleven but was forced to make a change before kick-off when Matt Hill flagged up an issue with his calf in the warm-up. Central defender Rob Atkinson was drafted in as an emergency replacement, shifting Shane Killock to the vacant left-back position in the process.

Avenue had to deal with an onslaught of early pressure in the opening exchanges and Steven Drench had to make an excellent save to deny Dan Bradley within the opening two minutes.

The visitors did have opportunites of their own despite being under mounting pressure and Nicky Wroe struck the post with an effort that lacked power, but left Brandon Hall stranded.

Kidderminster dealt a blow to Avenue’s play-off hopes with 14 minutes on the clock when Elton Ngwatala’s cross found Dan Bradley. The Harriers forward showed excellent composure to steer past Drench and deflate the Yorkshire play-off hopefuls.

 Emmanuel Sonupe had impressed for Kidderminster in the reverse fixture at the Horsfall Stadium and caused Avenue problems throughout the first-half.

He cut in from the right before unleashing a curling effort that dropped just over the crossbar.

Kidderminster remained firmly on top for the remainder of the first-half, spraying the ball around with confidence and looking comfortable in defence.

Mark Bower’s side did, however, come close to opening the scoring when Oli Johnson pulled back to Jamie Spencer on the edge of the box, but the midfielder sliced wide. Immediately after, Johnson forced Hall into making a spectacular stop to keep his low drive out.

Opportunities fell to Sonupe and Ngwatala as the half approached its end, but Drench was in top form to thwart the Harriers’ talented frontline.

Frank Mulhern tested Hall quickly after the restart, forcing the busy stopper to beat away a drilled effort from just inside the 18-yard box.

The hosts almost doubled their lead when Sam Austin found himself with only Drench to beat, but Avenue’s ‘keeper continued to demonstrate why he is so highly-rated with another save.

As the half progressed, Avenue threw more and more bodies forward but were repeatedly thwarted by the hosts’ sturdy backline.

This was until a deflected corner delivery fell to Mulhern on the edge of the box, who buried the ball in the bottom corner with a perfectly executed finish.

News of Spennymoor Town’s lead against Southport had already filtered through to the Aggborough Stadium, setting up a tense finish to a thoroughly entertaining second-half.

Kidderminster, did, however, eventually crumble under intense Avenue pressure. Johnson worked his magic down the right before drilling across goal and Boyes stabbed home at the back-post after the ball took a series of deflections in a brief scramble.

Avenue will now visit Kidderminster again on Wednesday night, looking to secure a place in the play-off semi-final.

Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Austin, Weeks, Digie, Taylor, Sonupe, Truslove (Waring 60’), Brown, Bradley (Pearson 45’), Ngwatala.

Unused substitutes: Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ironside.

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Atkinson, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer (Vidal 74’), Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern (Boshell 90+5’).

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall, Smith.

 Referee: Scott Simpson

Spirited Avenue keep the dream alive

Bradford Park Avenue made a late surge into the play-off positions whilst ensuring Harrogate Town would have to fight it out in the end-of-season showcase to seal promotion.

The hopes of the two sides provided a sharper edge to a Yorkshire derby that was going to have one regardless, and both sets of supporters contributed to the electric atmosphere within the ground.

Chances were few and far between in the early stages, with the rivals cancelling each other out and struggling to carve open opportunities. Harrogate dangerman George Thomson was the first to call Avenue stopper Steven Drench into action, forcing him to palm a low drive wide of the post.

Minutes later, it was the visitors’ goalkeeper James Belshaw that was thrust into the action as he was forced to keep out a close-range effort from Adam Boyes.

The hosts took the lead after 24 minutes when Wroe’s out-swinging corner was met by Boyes, whose header looped over a helpless Belshaw and into the top corner.

Mark Bower’s in-form side had an opportunity to double their advantage shortly after, as a Belshaw clearance failed to reach the halfway line and Oli Johnson was given the chance to try chip the goalkeeper. The Avenue forward’s audacious lob from 25-yards, however, sailed over the crossbar.

The visitors began to knock on the door more frequently as the first-half reached its latter stages but couldn’t find a way past Drench as the goalkeeper held efforts from Jake Wright and Jack Emmett.

A half-chance fell to Warren Burrell immediately after the restart, but Shane Killock made a crucial block to deflect the Harrogate defender’s half-volley wide.

A catalogue of errors from both sides led to an eventful period in the game and three bookings were dished out in the midst of some desperate defending.

Harrogate eventually crumbled under some intense Avenue pressure, with the home side doubling their lead with a remarkable goal. Johnson pulled back to an advancing Wroe, who showed impressive skill to flick to the back-post where Frank Mulhern was waiting to steer past Belshaw.

Harrogate came agonisingly close to pulling one back when Wright escaped his marker at a corner but headed wide when he should have really converted.

The on-loan striker did eventually find the target when he reacted quickest to hammer home from close-range after Drench parried a low drive from Dominic Knowles.

Boyes then brought an abrupt end to Harrogate celebrations, tucking away after Belshaw had palmed a Johnson strike into his path following a mazy run in which he weaved his way past three defenders.

Simon Weaver’s side couldn’t recover from the late blow, allowing Salford City to clinch the title despite losing to Boston United.Avenue now sit in 7th place but could lose their grip on the coveted spot if Spennymoor Town gain four points from their final three games.

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill(Atkinson 89’), Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer, Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern(Boshell 81’)

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Hall, Smith

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Swain (Thewlis 71’), Falkingham (c), Burrell, McCombe, Thomson (Kerry 77’), Emmett, Wright, Knowles, Agnew (Beck 61’)

Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Kennedy

Referee: Richard Bartlett

Bradford Park Avenue climbed to eighth in the table after becoming the first team in the Vanarama National League North to do the double over high-fliers Brackley Town.

 Ryan Toulson unleashed a left-footed thunderbolt with ten minutes remaining to clinch a 1-0 victory over the promotion-chasing Saints.

Mark Bower made two changes to the side that beat Boston United, dropping Steven Drench to the substitutes bench in place of Ed Hall and fielding Ryan Toulson in central midfield in place of Danny Boshell. Avenue’s substitute bench featured Academy defender Lewis Johnson and young striker Bradley Oliver also travelled with the team.

Avenue flew out of the blocks and had a several opportunities to open the scoring early on. Toulson blazed over after a neat exchange between Nicky Wroe and Frank Mulhern provided him with the space to let fly.

Adam Boyes wriggled away from his marker in the box, only to fail to generate enough power in his shot to trouble Danny Lewis.

Wroe had no trouble in generating power with an effort of his own shortly after, hammering a volley goal wards before seeing it fly wide.

However, the hosts grew into the game and began asking questions of Avenue’s backline.

James Armson had a golden opportunity to fire Brackley ahead after being teed up by Matt Lowe but blasted over from close-range to the despair of home supporters.

Lowe provided an outlet for the Saints throughout, as did Lee Ndlovu who constantly looked to get in behind using his blistering pace. The forward’s composure, however, was lacking and he fired into the clutches of Hall after rounding Shane Killock.

As the interval approached, there was a lull in entertainment and the only incident of note in the latter stages was a confrontation between several players following a foul on Hall.

Brackley piled the pressure on Avenue after the half-time break, keen to gain the upper hand by striking first. Connor Franklin drilled across the box and his delivery came very close to finding Ndlovu, but Shane Killock hooked over his own crossbar to clear the danger.

Franklin then cut in from the left before pulling the trigger but was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Mark Ross.

Lowe was also denied by excellent Avenue defending, as a Luca Havern block lifted the Saints winger’s effort over the crossbar.

Hall was called into action to tip a powerful Armson volley over the crossbar, stunning Brackley fans behind the goal with his acrobatic stop.

Oli Johnson made his return from a three-match suspension to replace Mulhern as the clock ticked and made an instant impact with a crucial assist.

Wroe picked the substitute out with a diagonal delivery that the forward flicked into the path of an on-rushing Toulson. He darted into the box to latch on to it before hammering home with his left foot to give Mark Bower’s side the lead.

Despite a nervy final few minutes, Avenue held on and secured one of their most impressive wins of the season so far.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Myles, Franklin (Nicholson 74’), Byrne, Graham, Dean (c), Lowe, Armson, Ndlovu (Brown 82’), Williams (Iaciofano 78’), Walker.

Unused substitutes: Streete, Diggin.

Bradford Park Avenue: Hall, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby (Recizac 90+1’), Toulson, Boyes, Spencer, Mulhern (Johnson 71’).

Unused substitutes: Johnson, Drench, Boshell.

Referee: Rob Massey-Ellis

Attendance: 290

Boyes brace beats Boston

Adam Boyes notched his 18^th league goal of the season with just minutes remaining to make it back-to-back wins for a reinvigorated Bradford Park Avenue.

He had grabbed his 17^th in the first-half, cancelling out an early opener from Boston United captain Jordan Keane.

Mark Bower made one change to the side that saw off Leamington last week, drafting in midfielder Danny Boshell to replace Rob Atkinson after the defender was forced off during the victory over the Brakes.

The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead after just three minutes. They were awarded a free-kick in controversial circumstances after Jake Beesley was brought down outside the box, and Ashley Hemming’s delivery was met by the head of captain Jordan Keane. The defender glanced a header beyond the reach of Steven Drench to leave the visitors shell shocked.

Hemmings caused problems again with a cross shortly after, but his lofted delivery was headed clear by Matt Hill after the winger had escaped the challenge of Frank Mulhern.

Beesley advanced into the box before cutting-back to Brad Abbott but his through ball missed its target and rolled to Drench.

Gianluca Havern and Shane Killock were proving difficult opposition for Boston’s pacey frontline and the latter made an excellent sliding challenge to thwart James Clifton, who opened to shoot after cutting-in from the right.

Avenue did begin to knock on the door as the half progressed and Boyes rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort from just outside the box.

Boston continued to enjoy opportunities despite Avenue’s testing of Willis and nearly doubled their lead when Beesley drew a fantastic save from Drench with a well-struck half-volley.

However, it was Avenue that found a way through when Boyes powered home a header from a Ross delivery to draw level.

The visitors almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time, as both Boyes and Jamie Spencer saw efforts blocked by Keane on the edge of the box.

HALF-TIME: Boston United 1-1 Bradford Park Avenue

The Pilgrims enjoyed a prolonged spell of pressure after the interval but failed to find a way past the in-form Drench.

An interchange between Andi Thanoj and Hemmings opened space for the latter to shoot but the winger blazed over with a wild effort.

It was soon Avenue’s turn to regain a grip on the game, as they began to enjoy more time on the front foot.

Boyes drilled across goal in search of Spencer, but ex-Avenue man Ryan Qualter hooked behind before the young midfielder could pounce.

Mulhern skipped past Ben Middleton before checking back but his cross looped over the head of a lurking Boyes.

With the tie poised at 1-1, the final few minutes were set to be entertaining. They certainly lived up to expectations, and Mark Bower’s men would have been forgiven for thinking luck simply wasn’t on their side after seeing three shots hooked away on the line.

Two came from substitute Antoine Remi Recizac, who caused problems following his introduction with some impressive movement and skill. After his second was blocked on the goal line, the ball fell to Mulhern whose effort was also denied by a last-ditch clearance.

The resilient visitors were eventually rewarded for their pressure, taking the lead in the 90^th minute when Boyes steered past Willis after the ball fell to the clinical finisher in the box.

FULL-TIME: Boston United 1-2 Bradford Park Avenue

 Boston United: Willis, Middleton, Brogan, Thanoj, Keane (c), Qualter, Clifton (McGuire 77’), Abbott (Tshimanga 83’), Thompson, Beesley (Smith 67’), Hemmings.

Unused substitutes: Stewart, Wafula.

 Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby (Recizac 75’), Boshell, Boyes, Spencer, Mulhern (Toulson 90+2’).

Unused substitutes: Hall, Knight.

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Drench stop puts the brakes on Leamington’s race for survival

Adam Boyes’ early opener gave Bradford Park Avenue maximum points at the expense of strugglers Leamington.

Mark Bower made two changes to the side that lost to Chorley, re-instating Rob Atkinson and Adam Boyes to the starting line-up following injuries in place of Danny Boshell and Adam Smith. Striker Lee Knight was named a substitute after being recalled from his loan spell at Halesowen Town in midweek.

The hosts’ team selection will have raised eyebrows prior to kick-off, with three centre-backs being named in the starting eleven. Atkinson, Luca Havern and Shane Killock all lined-up in the heart of defence, with Mark Ross and Matt Hill operating as wing-backs. Wayne Brooksby took up a more central role than he is used to, playing in front of the midfield pairing of Nicky Wroe and Jamie Spence and in behind the frontline.

Avenue made a dream start, taking the lead before a minute had been played. Jamie Spencer’s long-range piledriver was tipped on to the post by Tony Breeden, but Boyes was alert to the rebound and tucked home.

The Brakes were rallied by the early goal and began pumping balls forward towards the numerous bodies that had piled into the box. Avenue, however, weathered the storm admirably.

The new system was clearly something that was going to take time to get used to and the hosts struggled to find their feet in the aftermath of the opener.

Connor Gudger took two free-kicks in dangerous positions but couldn’t find the target with his dipping efforts.

After enduring a brief spell of Leamington pressure, Avenue began to take control of the game and came close to doubling their advantage on several occasions.

Frank Mulhern latched on to an inch-perfect through ball from Boyes but was thwarted by an equally as impressive sliding challenge from Jamie Hood.

Spencer sprayed the ball wide to Ross, who was racing forward unmarked, but the defender’s chipped effort clipped the crossbar.

The visitors remained very much in contention despite the score line and would have been level had a foul in the box not ruled out Junior English’s header that flew past Drench.

Opportunities fell to both Gudger and Callum Gittings as the first-half approached its end, but neither could maintain their composure and failed to hit the target from inside the 18-yard box.

HALF-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 1-0 Leamington

 Avenue were given a scare immediately after the restart, as Spencer’s clearance cannoned off Dan Udoh before flying over the crossbar despite briefly seeming like it would nestle in the top corner.

 The visitors were then given a scare of their own as Boyes’ long-range effort left Breeden stranded before striking the post.

Leamington dominated possession in the early stages of the first-half but only carved out one clear-cut opportunity. Udoh rounded Atkinson before squaring to Matt Dodd, who stretched but failed to make a connection.

This was until Jack Edwards was wrestled to the ground in the box by Mark Ross, giving Dodd the chance to convert from 12-yards. His spot-kick, however, was saved and held by Drench to the relief of Avenue players, staff and supporters.

Substitute Liam Canavan had an opportunity to salvage a point for the Brakes late on but fired a free-kick into to the face of Havern who deflected the ball behind.

He then headed into the grateful clutches of Drench after Udoh had flicked the ball towards him in the box.

Avenue have faced criticism for their inability to hold out in the late stages of games in recent weeks but did so to claim a much-needed three points and condemn lowly Leamington to defeat.

 FULL-TIME: Bradford Park Avenue 1-0 Leamington

 Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Atkinson (Toulson 70’), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Wroe (c), Boyes, Spencer, Mulhern (Boshell 74’).

Unused substitutes: Hall, Recizac, Knight.

Leamington: Breeden (c), English, Gudger, Clarke (Canavan 67’), Hood, Mace, Dunbar (Revan 77’), Gittings, Udoh, Edwards, Obeng (Dodd 62’).

Unused substitutes: Magunda, Moore.

Referee: Garreth Rhodes

A stoppage-time volley from James Ball ensured that Stockport County took maximum points at Horsfall Stadium despite a second-half rally from hosts, Bradford Park Avenue.

 Mark Bower made two changes from the side that saw off AFC Telford United on Monday night, handing a starting berth to Frank Mulhern after he stepped off the bench to bag a brace against the Bucks, and re-instating Adam Boyes following injury. Danny Boshell dropped to the bench and Nicky Clee was withdrawn from the squad altogether.

The Hatters took an early lead when Matthew Warburton’s strike cannoned off Jason Oswell and nestled in the bottom corner, shocking an Avenue side full of confidence after an impressive win over AFC Telford United four days prior.

The hosts struggled to find their rhythm in the first-half, allowing Stockport to carve out a host of chances for their plethora of talented attackers. Steven Drench was forced to make two sensational stops to deny Oswell after the forward got on the end of two teasing crosses.

The experienced goalkeeper also had to stretch to tip over a curled effort from Scott Duxbury, whose free-kick came very close to finding the top corner.

Some excellent intricate passing provided an opening for Wayne Brooksby to burst through the Stockport defence, but Boyes’ cut-back was behind the winger.

Avenue were much-improved after the interval and should have drawn level when Matt Hill picked out Boyes with a cross from deep, but the forward uncharacteristically rushed his effort and made Hinchliffe’s save a routine one.

With the hosts beginning to grow into the game, Oli Johnson glanced a header wide as pressure began to mount on the nervy Hatters.

Mark Bower’s side were, however, punished for squandering opportunites when Drench spilled a high ball into the path of Oswell, who stabbed home to double the away side’s lead.

The introductions of Jamie Spencer and Adam Smith to the Avenue midfield seemed to rejuvenate the side, and they were soon back in the game.

Ross found Javan Vidal with a delivery from the right, and the in-form utility man steered the ball into the bottom corner to offer Avenue a glimmer of hope.

They soon equalised through Mulhern, who netted his third goal in two games after clinically dispatching past Hinchliffe. Substitute Spencer had relentlessly chased down Hatters defenders and was rewarded when he dispossessed Jamie Stott before gaining an assist with a perfectly executed through ball to his former Huddersfield Town teammate.

The game seemed destined to end level, but the visitors had other ideas and Ball broke Avenue hearts with a well-struck volley that rendered Drench helpless deep into stoppage time.

Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Ross, Hill, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Vidal (Toulson 74’), Boyes (Smith 65’), Johnson (Spencer 56’), Mulhern.

Unused substitutes: Hall, Boshell.

Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Cowan, Duxbury, Winter (c), Clarke, Stott, Thomas (O’Halloran 76’), Ball, Oswell, Warburton (Minihan 64’), Turner (Stephenson 55’).

 Unused substitutes: Ormson, Turnbull.

Attendance: 1,044

Referee: Leigh Doherty

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.