A late goal from Jake Hibbs earned his side a deserved point against Hereford FC at the Horsfall Stadium.

With their first attempt, the Bulls broke the deadlock as George Forsyth’s deflected strike flew past Johnny Saltmer from distance. But, with full-time approaching, Hibbs tapped home a cross from Jordan Windass to equalise.

It was the home side who created the better opportunities in the first half.

Brad Dockerty was the first player to get behind the defence, but the winger was offside after being played through on goal by the impressive Luke Rawson.

And, Rawson, who led the line, was denied his first Avenue goal by the linesman. A wonderful one-touch move saw Isaac Marriott find Akeel Francis who back-heeled the ball, first time, to the overlapping Windass. The right-back delivered a stunning delivery into the box and the number nine stretched to find the back of the net. But the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Minutes later, Rawson had another goal disallowed. A long goal-kick from Saltmer hit the Bulls defender Luke Haines. Rawson was alert to dispossess the centre-back and found the bottom corner from 16 yards. This time, the referee blew his whistle and awarded a free-kick against Rawson for a foul.

The lively striker nearly scored again, but his chip from 18 yards was tipped over the bar by the visitors’ goalkeeper Brandon Hall.

Bradford were punished for failing to score as Josh Gowling’s side took the lead. A pass into the path of Forsyth, who was free on the edge of the area, allowed the midfielder to curl a right-footed effort, helped by a deflection, into the top corner from 20 yards.

The away side grew into the game, and as Brad Dockerty left the field with an injury, Bradford came close to conceding a second goal before the break.

After Marriott was denied by Hall from 12 yards, the Bulls pushed forward. From a corner, Ryan McLean found himself unmarked, in front of goal, but nodded wide from close range.

As the rain started to get heavier in the second half, the away side contained the Avenue well and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but failed to trouble Saltmer.

Both managers made several substitutions, and with limited opportunities on goal, Mark Bower rolled the dice and introduced youngster Rob Guilfoyle, joining Francis, Rawson and fellow substitute Oli Johnson in attack.

But, it was the players behind the front four that helped their side level the score. Windass gained possession on the halfway line and dribbled past several Bulls players before drilling a low cross across the face of goal. The energetic Hibbs was unmarked at the far post and tapped the ball into the net.

Buoyed by their goal, Bradford nearly grabbed a dramatic winner. Rawson, again, caused plenty of problems for the defence and after knocking the ball past a defender, the striker’s low right-footed effort was saved by the legs of Hall.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Ross, Windass, Marriott, Havern (Downing 74), Lund, Dockerty (Johnson 37), Hibbs, Rawson, Francis, Odunston (Guilfoyle 63)

Subs not used: Toulson, Hill

Hereford FC: Hall, Hodgkiss, Hancox, Haines, McLean (Ismail 45), Forsyth, Storey, Lloyd, Pollock, Vincent, Kouhyar (Pinchard 68)

Subs not used: Liburd-Hines, Klukowski, Whittingham

Goal: Forsyth (27)

Yellow cards: Lloyd, Haines

Referee: Peter Shacklady

Attendance: 490

A first-half penalty from Claudio Ofosu separated Kettering Town and Bradford (Park Avenue) at a sunny Latimer Park on the opening day of the Vanarama National League North.

The game’s only goal happened following a foul from Oli Johnson on Ofosu inside the box. The winger got back up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Despite the hot conditions, it was an entertaining first-half with both sides having chances.

The Avenue troubled the Poppies, but Johnson’s strike from 14 yards flew over.

Minutes later, the Bradford dugout appealed for a penalty. After being put through from Isaac Marriott, Luke Rawson’s low shot from 16 yards was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Rhys Davies. The ball spun into the air and as Jake Hibbs was quick to rise highest to head the ball towards goal, the midfielder went down inside the box as Davies failed to catch the ball. The referee Richie Watkins waved the Avenue protests away and awarded a goal kick.

Then, it was the Poppies, who looked dangerous from set-pieces and long throw-ins, who were awarded a penalty. Ofosu tried to take the ball around Johnson, who stuck out his left leg and made contact with the winger. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Ofosu got back on his feet and sent Avenue goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer the wrong way to the delight of the home supporters.

Before the half-time whistle, Paul Cox’s side hit the woodwork as defender Luke Ward smashed a volley against the crossbar from close range.

The visitors responded with an opportunity to equalise. But, after a fine delivery from Hibbs found captain Luca Havern, the defender’s header went inches wide of the post from 12 yards.

After the break, both managers made substitutions, with few attempts on goal.

But, with being behind the scoreboard, the Avenue pushed forward in the later stages of the game and somehow, failed to hit the back of the net.

Firstly, a low volley across the box from Havern found makeshift left-back Mitch Lund, but the defender blasted the ball over from 12 yards.

With the final whistle approaching, Johnson saw a left-footed effort cleared off the line from eight yards. From the rebound, new signing Akeel Francis did well under pressure to get a header on target, but the ball crashed off the underside of the bar.

Into additional time, Mark Ross saw a cross deflected by Rhys Sharpe strike the top of the crossbar and away from danger.

Seconds later, the referee blew the full-time whistle as the Poppies held on for a narrow victory.

Kettering Town: Davies, Barrett (Calder 83), Sharpe, Unwin, Ward, Dyche, Powell, Neal, Stones (Perry 52), Storher, Ofosu (Sheriff 60)

Subs not used: Crawford, Cook

Goal: Ofosu (pen 23)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Ross, Windass, Marriott, Havern, Lund, Nowakowski (Clee 60), Hibbs, Rawson (Francis 75), Johnson, Dockerty (Guilfoyle 57)

Subs not used: Fawcett, Bolton

Referee: Richie Watkins

Attendance: 762

The home side took the lead as Matty Waters found the bottom corner from 12 yards. Two second half goals from Robert Evans and Dan Cowan secured victory for the Nash during an eventful game.

The visitors started brightly, looking to continue their similar pattern of play that was successful in the win against York City on Boxing Day.

Lewis Knight was playing on the shoulder of the two centre-backs and Brad Dockerty was causing problems, drifting off the wing to support the young striker.

Knight came close to opening the scoring as he shrugged off Harry Flowers in a 50-50 challenge before forcing goalkeeper Cameron Mason into a fine save from 16 yards.

Five minutes later, Steve Cunningham’s side showed the threat they had in attack as winger Darren Stephenson, who impressed throughout the game, sent in a lovely cross towards the far post but Connor Hughes was a couple yards short of connecting with the delivery.

After seeing his half-volley go over from 20 yards, Ryan Toulson, returning from suspension, was shown a dubious yellow card. Then, a pivotal moment in the game happened almost 30 seconds later.

With the ball close to the away dugout, Matty Downing went to intercept the ball but Alex Curran went down under the challenge on the touchline. The referee, Kristian Silcock, wasted no time to reach for his back pocket and show the right-back a red card, to the surprise and anger of the Avenue dugout.

Down to ten-man and reeling from the decision, the Avenue had to withstand pressure from the hosts.

After Harry Flowers hit the woodwork with a header, the Nash took the lead. Samuel Walker picked out the run of left-back Waters who escaped Will Longbottom on the left wing. After turning onto his right foot, Waters’ effort went through the legs of goalkeeper Dan Atkinson and into the back of the net.

Despite passing the ball between each other, the home side didn’t trouble Atkinson and were nearly caught in possession and punished before the half-time whistle.

Waters took too much time on the ball and Knight was alert to win the ball from his feet, but his shot from inside the box was pushed wide by Mason.

After the restart, and with Mark Bower changing the formation, the game opened up a bit more.

After scoring a wonderful goal at the weekend, Harry Boyes tried his luck from distance again, but his 35 yard shot went wide of Mason’s post.

As the Avenue pushed forward, the Nash found gaps in the middle of the park and were denied their second goal by two superb saves from Atkinson.

The ball ricocheted into the path of Evans who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Atkinson made himself big and made a great save with his feet.

Seconds later, Curran spotted a hole in the Avenue defence and, with his effort aimed towards the far corner from 14 yards, Atkinson’s strong right hand tipped the ball wide.

Those saves gave the Avenue hope and they came close to equalising. A lovely one-touch, one-two between Dockerty and Toulson, allowed the midfielder to drive into the box. Toulson drilled a low right-footed effort towards goal and Mason used all of his height to dive low and tip the ball wide around the post for a corner. But as Bradford players started to come forward for a corner, the Avenue were angry again with the referee, as he staggeringly pointed for a goal kick.

Following a couple of substitutions and the game open, the Nash doubled their advantage, scoring the vital second goal. Curran delivered a low cross into the box and a diving header from Evans saw the ball fly into the net, despite the best efforts of an outstretched Atkinson.

As seen during the season, there’s plenty of fight in this Bradford side. To try and get back into the game, Booty’s free-kick and Nicky Clee’s shot from 16 yards were well saved by Mason.

With the clock against Bradford, Curzon Ashton sealed the win with their third goal of the afternoon. Walker picked out defender Dan Cowan inside the penalty area and after turning his marker, Cowan fired a right-footed shot into the top corner from 14 yards. The Avenue had no time left for a dramatic comeback and left the Tameside Stadium beaten despite a battling performance with ten men.

Curzon Ashton: Mason, Mahon (Da Silva 77), Waters, Cowan, Flowers, Turnbull, Hughes (Hanson 70), Walker, Curran, Evans, Stephenson.

Subs not used: Stokes, McPartian, Southern

Goals: Waters (30), Evans (71), Cowan (88)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Booty, L.Lyons, Downing, Longbottom, Nowakowski (Clee 63), Dockerty (Johnson 77), Knight (Hussain 84), Toulson

Subs not used: Fawcett, Sanyang

Referee: Kristian Silcock 

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Lewis Knight broke the deadlock following good work from Adam Nowakowski. The home side doubled their advantage as Regan Booty weaved his way through the Minstermen midfield to slot home from inside the box.

After the break, Jack Redshaw halved the deficit with a well-taken goal. Straight from the restart, Bradford restored their two-goal lead with a rebound from Lewis Knight.

The visitors scored their second of the afternoon through substitute Rob Guilfoyle before Harry Boyes fired a stunning 30 yard strike to seal the win for the Green Army.

With only five minutes on the clock, Nowakowski battled well in the middle of the park and fed a through ball to Knight. The young striker continued his rich vein of goalscoring form by striking a right-footed effort past Pete Jameson from 16 yards.

Knight nearly scored his second of the afternoon. A superb tackle from Matty Downing, who was a late addition instead of Jordan Windass, allowed Nicky Clee to hit a wonderful first time pass to Knight. The Avenue’s number ten got the better of Sean Newton but his shot trickled agonisingly wide.

Despite Steve Watson’s men enjoying the better of possession, they found themselves two goals behind. Booty, with some excellent footwork and skill, escaped three challenges and curled a lovely right-footed effort past Jameson.

The rest of the half belonged to the visitors.

Robbie Tinkler, in the centre of midfield, had space outside the box and forced Dan Atkinson into his first save of the evening.

Michael Duckworth, returning to the Horsfall Stadium, was causing problems with his deliveries from the wing. The right-back crossed the ball into the area, and despite being unmarked, striker Redshaw failed to hit the target from 14 yards.

Again, the visitors looked dangerous from corners and free-kicks but Atkinson wasn’t needed to make a save. In fact, the Avenue could’ve added a crucial third before the break.

Knight, who led the line extremely well throughout the game, took the ball around Jameson, and following good pressure from the defence, Knight was unable to find the net from eight yards.

From the resulting corner, the ball was fizzed towards Mark Ross, but the defender’s header flew just wide of the post.

Watson made two half time substitutions, replacing Olly Dyson and Paddy McLaughlin with Akil Wright and Guilfoyle.

Both teams had a few half-chances that failed to trouble respective goalkeepers until the away side reduced Avenue’s lead.

Redshaw, who was arguably the Minstermen’s best player, looked sharp on the turn, and after driving towards goal, the striker struck a low effort, which appeared to take a deflection and went past Atkinson, via the post, from 20 yards.

Immediately from the restart, the Avenue dampened the celebrations from the away side  to score their third of the game. Brad Dockerty dribbled through a couple of challenges inside the area before curling a right-footed shot towards goal. The ball bounced off the far post straight to the feet of Knight, who was unmarked, and he tapped home from ten yards.

A few minutes later, Redshaw came close to doubling his tally. The striker ran across the edge of the box and his shot was expertly saved with a strong left hand from Atkinson.

With twenty minutes remaining, young substitute Guilfoyle got his side back in the game. The striker created enough space to try his luck from distance. His low shot saw Atkinson rooted to the spot as the ball found the bottom corner.

Despite conceding, the Avenue looked dangerous in attack, playing some excellent free-flowing football. Booty, who continues to impress since joining the Avenue, nearly scored a 25 yard free-kick. 

Shortly after, Knight, on the left wing, delivered a teasing cross into the box to Dockerty, but his header went wide of the far post.

And then, the Avenue left-back Boyes scored a contender for goal of the season. Will Longbottom, who had a solid debut, spotted the loan signing from Sheffield United on the opposite side of the pitch. After taking a touch, Boyes drilled a spectacular left-footed shot from 30 yards into the top corner past Jameson. 

In the final ten minutes, the Avenue produced a professional display to hold onto their lead and secure a much-needed and clinical victory in the rain at the Horsfall Stadium.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Booty, L.Lyons, Downing, Longbottom, Nowakowski, Knight, Dockerty, Clee (Sanyang 90)

Subs not used: J.Lyons, Fawcett, Hussain.

Goals: Knight (5), (57), Booty (20), Boyes (82)

Yellow: Longbottom (64)

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, Barrow, Newton, Brown, Tinkler (Guilfoyle 60), McLaughlin (Wright 45), Woods, Cassidy, Redshaw, Dyson (Bunn 45)

Subs not used: Flatters, Spratt.

Goals: Redshaw (56), Guilfoyle (70)

Yellow: Wright (90)

Referee: Tom Kirk

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

The hosts took a deserved lead as Brad Jackson’s deep cross was nodded home by striker George Waring. The Blues extended their advantage with goals from Anthony Dudley and Will Goodwin before a consolation effort from Lewis Knight but the Avenue’s Wembley dream is over for another year.

The home side started the better team, switching the play to both flanks and looking for Waring and Goodwin to get the better of the Bradford defence, but they dealt well with the early pressure.

The away side could’ve broke the deadlock, making the most of a sloppy pass from left-back Jamie Morgan. Knight was the quickest to react and he saw his  shot fumbled by goalkeeper Louis Gray. From the rebound, Matty Downing was alert to try and score but he was denied by an excellent block from defender Kevin Roberts.

The men in blue and white started to increase the tempo and were rewarded with the opening goal. Jackson had time to take a touch and deliver a teasing cross for Waring at the far post. The striker found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

After the break, the momentum remained with the home side. After seeing a cross from Downing go just over Knight’s head, the Blues went on the counter attack. Anthony Dudley turned onto his right foot before being fouled by Luke Lyons inside the box. Referee Darren Rogers blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Dudley got back to his feet and sent Avenue debutant goalkeeper Will Huffer the wrong way.

A number of substitutions saw the game lose its intensity but the home side looked comfortable with a two-goal lead and the Avenue struggling having already lost Jordan Windass and captain Luca Havern to injury to add to a growing list.

The Avenue introduced Tabish Hussain late in the second half and the winger made an impact on the right wing. But, unfortunately, his deliveries into the box were either cleared or unable to be converted by the Avenue strikers.

With only a couple of minutes left, a long ball towards Goodwin was headed back by Lyons, but it fell short of Huffer’s feet. The young Chester FC striker took the ball around the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an unguarded net from 14 yards.

Into added time, Bradford scored a consolation as Hussain managed to squeeze a low cross into the penalty area and Knight was there to tap the ball past Gray from close range.

Chester FC: Gray, Roberts, Morgan, Weeks (Burke 79), Lacey, Grand, Jackson (Elliott 85), Clark, Goodwin, Waring (Marsh-Hughes 63), Dudley

Subs not used: Livesey, Glendon, Johnston, Bauress

Goals: Waring (21), Dudley (pen, 52), Goodwin (88)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Huffer, Ross, Boyes, L.Lyons, Havern (Hussain 60), Windass (Clee 45), Booty (J.Lyons 77), Hibbs, Dockerty, Knight, Downing

Sub not used: Atkinson

Goal: Knight (90)

The Brakes led at half-time, thanks to an early goal from Sam Osbourne and then, with additional time announced, Simeon Maye found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Bradford reduced the lead with a Brad Dockerty goal, but, two minutes later, the away side restored their two-goal cushion with an excellent Osbourne strike from 20 yards

After a quiet opening period, the visitors broke the deadlock. As Avenue goalkeeper Dan Atkinson rushed out of his goal, Osbourne was calm and composed as he took the ball around him and slotted the ball into an unguarded net from 14 yards.

Osbourne, who continued to cause problems for the Bradford defence, nearly scored his second of the afternoon. After receiving the ball from Jack Edwards, the winger’s drilled shot was well blocked by left-back Harry Boyes inside the box.

Then, the hosts should’ve equalised from a corner. A deep, inswinging delivery from Nicky Clee found Jake Hibbs, but he couldn’t connect properly and scuffed his shot wide from close range.

With the additional time shown on the touchline, Paul Holleran’s side doubled their advantage. Another flick from Edwards, after hesitation in the Avenue defence found Maye, who was unmarked. The midfielder took a few touches and fired a right-footed effort past Atkinson from 12 yards.

After the break, and with the introduction of debutant Regan Booty, Bradford started to push men forward.

After a well-worked move involving Booty and Boyes, Knight curled over a right-footed effort from 20 yards. But it was more positive, drawing an applause from the Avenue dugout.

Then, they deservedly halved the deficit. Despite earlier missing a one-on-one chance, Knight spotted the run of Brad Dockerty through the centre of the pitch. With Weaver to beat, the winger calmly slotted the ball into the net to give the Avenue hope.

But that hope was quickly extinguished as the Brakes scored a wonderful third goal. A corner was cleared away and after excellent play from Lance Smith to turn and keep the ball in play, the striker found Osbourne. The winger sprinted towards goal and fired an unstoppable right-footed strike, from 20 yards, into the top corner.

The Brakes produced a stubborn defensive display to deny Bradford a way back into the game and the evening got worse for the hosts. With a minute left to play, Hibbs was aggressive in a challenge and referee John Mulligan rushed to his pocket for a red card and dismissed the midfielder to add to a miserable afternoon for Bradford.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, L.Lyons Havern, Windass (Hussain 77), Sanyang (Booty 45), Hibbs, Dockerty, Knight, Clee.

Subs not used: Downing, Huffer

Goal: Dockerty (69)

Red card: Hibbs

Leamington FC: Weaver, Martin, Morley, Clarke, Morrison, Lane, Osbourne (Meredith 85), Maye (Waldron 90), Smith, Edwards, Allen (Anderson 81)

Subs not used: English, Taylor 

Yellow card: Clarke

Goals: Osbourne (9), (71), Maye (45)

In a high-quality first-half, Bradford took an early lead thanks to Brad Dockerty. But the Coasters replied with two goals from Ben Tollitt and Kurt Willoughby. Against the run of play, the visitors equalised as Knight nodded home from close range. After the restart, the hosts took the lead for the second time as Luke Byrne’s cross was tapped home by Luke Conlan. But, into the second minute of additional time, Omar Sanyang picked out Jordan Windass and his cross was smashed into the far corner by Knight.

Despite an early surprise, as the sprinklers started spraying water in the middle of play, the visitors took an early lead. Dockerty cut inside onto his right foot and curled a lovely effort past Chris Neal from the edge of the box. The linesman raised his flag for offside but the referee gave the goal.

After the first goal, the Coasters dominated play with some excellent football and were rewarded with an equaliser.  Tollitt, who caused problems for his opponents all night, curled a right-footed effort past Atkinson from 20 yards.

Two minutes later, the hosts scored again. Striker Kurt Willoughby found space outside the box and fired a right-footed strike into the bottom corner past an outstretched Atkinson.

In the lead and extremely confident with the ball, Nick Chadwick’s side looked like a team who hadn’t lost at home this season. Working it from back to front, side to side, they oozed class. But Bradford stayed in the game, and against the run of play, levelled the score.

Harry Boyes, producing another mature display, received the ball on the left wing, and the left-back fizzed a cross into the box. Knight curved his run in front of defender Jack Sanders, and the striker glanced a header past Neal into the bottom corner.

The action didn’t stop there. 

After a muscular injury to Isaac Marriott, the Avenue continued to attack as Dockerty, who was in fine form all evening, intercepted a loose pass and threaded a through-ball to Knight. The striker managed to get ahead of defender Alex Whitmore, but his shot was saved at the near post by Neal.

The Coasters went down the other end of the pitch to create an opportunity. Right-back Byrne picked out striker Jordan Hulme in the penalty area, but the former Altrincham man headed the ball straight at Atkinson from ten yards.

Just before the half-time whistle, them Bradford nearly took the lead again. A deep cross was flicked by captain Luca Havern into the path of Boyes, and the left-back tried his luck from distance, but his effort was saved by Neal.

After the break, the Avenue were hanging on as the Coasters pushed men forward to take the advantage.

A corner from Luke Brennan was met by Sanders, and with his header flying towards the top corner, Dockerty jumped to head the ball off the line. 

Seconds later, the hosts created a three-on-two situation as Hulme pulled the ball back to Tollitt. The winger, rather than taking a touch, struck a first time effort over the bar from 20 yards.

Once more, Bradford were getting lucky to avoid conceding a fourth. Brennan’s corner picked out Whitmore and the captain’s header ricocheted off the post and a couple of bodies, somehow not finding the net.

Eventually, the pressure was too much for the Avenue as AFC Fylde regained the lead. Byrne and Brennan linked up well and the right-back got behind Dockerty to drill a low cross into the box. His teammate Conlan was there tap home from close range.

Just like Spennymoor, the away side nearly hit back with an instant reply. Dockerty showed character to bounce back from the goal and drove forward with the ball. As he got closer, the gap opened for the winger, but his shot didn’t have the accuracy to trouble Neal from 14 yards.

Following a number of substitutions, both teams still continued to search for a vital goal, for different reasons.

It didn’t appear Mark Bower’s side would get anything from the game, but the men from the Horsfall never gave up and snatched a dramatic equaliser. 

Substitute Sanyang hit one of the best passes of the game, switching the play from left to right. Windass controlled the excellent pass and showed his quality by delivering a wonderful cross to the far post. Knight was lurking at the far post and smashed the ball past Neal from eight yards, to the delight of the Avenue dugout.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Nolan (Lussey 70), Whitmore (c), Tollitt, Philliskirk, Hulme (Sampson 88), Sanders, Willoughby, Brennan (Shaw 64)

Subs not used: Mondal, Ogle

Goals: Tollitt (13), Willoughby (15), Conlan (66)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott (Sanyang 39), Havern, Windass, Hibbs, Toulson (Ibrian 74), Clee, Knight (Lyons 90+3), Dockerty

Subs not used: Downing, Huffer

Goals: Dockerty (3), Knight (30)(90+2)

Yellow card: Clee

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Bradford took the lead as Lewis Knight showed great composure to slot the ball into the net before the Moors levelled through a volley from Ryan Hall in the second half. The Avenue regained the lead  a couple of minutes later  with another excellent Knight strike but Taylor nodded the ball past Dan Atkinson in the final minutes of the game.

Despite a bright start by the Moors, the visitors took the lead. Captain Luca Havern produced a bit of magic in the centre of the park and threaded a through ball to Knight. The striker took the ball round goalkeeper Dale Eve and side-footed the ball into the net from ten yards.

Mark Bower’s side looked impressive and nearly doubled their advantage. Harry Boyes, who drove down the left wing, pulled the ball back to Isaac Marriott, but the midfielder’s strike went down the throat of Eve from 12 yards.

Five minutes later, the Moors could’ve equalised as Rob Ramshaw was put through, one-on-one with Atkinson. But, the midfielder failed to hit the target from ten yards.

Before the break, Atkinson, who continues to make some unbelievable saves, made another from a corner as Taylor rose above his marker, but the Bradford number one tipped the ball against the bar.

Then, into added time, a free-kick from Nicky Clee was half-cleared and as the ball dropped out of the sky, Brad Dockerty hit a stunning left-footed volley, from 16 yards, which brushed the bottom of the post.

After the break, Havern came close to scoring his side’s second goal of the afternoon. A low set-piece from Knight was controlled by the defender and after twisting the ball onto his right-foot, his effort went agonisingly wide of Eve’s far post.

After watching Atkinson save well from Taylor, Bradford, again, came close to doubling their lead. From distance, Knight hit a stunning strike from 35 yards, and with Eve at full-stretch, the ball grazed the crossbar.

After making a double substitution, the Moors pushed forward and scored an equaliser. Following Atkinson’s save from Scott McLean, the pressure continued and a defensive header went across the box which was smashed into the roof of the net by Ryan Hall from 18 yards.

Despite conceding, the Avenue replied with an excellent goal. Knight drifted off the left wing and, with confidence flowing through his veins, the striker curled a superb right-footed effort from 20 yards into the bottom corner.

Then, following a straight red card for Ryan Toulson for an off-the-ball incident with Taylor, Jason Ainsley’s side scored their second goal. McLean delivered a teasing ball which was flicked by Taylor towards goal, and despite Atkinson getting a hand to it, the ball found the back of the net from 12 yards.

Into the final few minutes, the Moors threw men forward and substitute Frank Mulhern had two opportunities to snatch a dramatic victory. But, the Avenue held on for a deserved draw in the North East.

Spennymoor Town: Eve, Forbes, Blakeman (Thompson 67), Curtis, Buddle, Moke (Mulhern 56), Spencer, Ramshaw, McKenna (Hall 67), McLean, Taylor 

Subs not used: Anderson, Magnay

Goals: Hall (78), Taylor (84)

Yellow cards: Taylor, Spencer 

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, Marriott, Havern, Windass, Toulson, Hibbs, Dockerty (Sanyang 80), Knight (Ibrian 89), Clee

Subs not used: Huffer, Downing, Hussain

Goals: Knight (8), (80)

Yellow card: Toulson

Red card: Toulson

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors 

Referee: Paul Brown