The Avenue took a deserved lead thanks to Adam Nowakowski. A lovely cross from debutant Jordan Windass was met by the makeshift striker who nodded against the bar, only to smash home the rebound from five yards.

The lead lasted only six minutes as a well-worked Gateshead FC move saw Danny Greenfield drill a cross into the box which was guided into the bottom corner by Jordan Preston from close range.

After the restart, the visitors took the lead and held onto it for the rest of the game as a Jake Hibbs own goal flew past Dan Atkinson from close range 

Like the weekend, the Avenue were bright, trying to work the ball quickly from back to front, helped by a masterclass from Nicky Clee in the middle of the park.

Two early efforts from Brad Dockerty and Lewis Knight called the Heed goalkeeper James Montgomery into some early action, but the opposition number one was alert to deny both efforts from 16 yards.

An element of the game from Saturday which frustrated Mark Bower was giving away possession too easily and the Avenue could’ve been punished by Dan Ward and Preston, but both efforts flew over Dan Atkinson’s goal from distance.

Then, the Avenue, playing with confidence and plenty of zip in their play broke the deadlock. Windass pushed forward and crossed the ball to Nowakowski who flicked the ball with his head against the woodwork. Fortunately, the ball fell back to his feet and fired the ball past Montgomery.

The lead didn’t last long as Mike Williamson’s side worked the ball down the right wing and Greenfield fizzed a low cross towards Preston who smartly headed the ball past Atkinson from ten yards.

With half-time approaching, the men in green and white nearly regained their advantage, but Mark Ross’ header from Clee’s corner was cleared off the line.

After the break, Bradford could’ve scored a crucial second goal but Isaac Marriott’s lovely strike from 20 yards brushed past the post.

Despite enjoying some good possession, the Avenue conceded from a corner in consecutive games. A teasing delivery from Greg Olley was met by Ward and the ball bounced off Hibbs and into the back of the net

The Heed held on, producing a professional finish to the game, despite a late penalty shout from the Avenue dugout for a foul on Hibbs. The only opportunity for the hosts to equalise came into added time when substitute Tabish Hussain laid the ball into the path of Marriott, but the midfielder’s curling effort flew over the bar.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Windass, Downing (Johnson 78), Marriott, Ross, Lund, Knight (Hussain 69), Hibbs, Nowakowski, Dockerty, Clee (c) (Bradley 88).

Subs not used: Fawcett, Lyons.

Goals: Nowakowski (27)

Gateshead FC: Montgomery, Nicholson, Smith, Greenfield, Cooper, Griffiths, Ward (Langstaff 76), Hunter, Deverdics (c), Olley, Preston (Keating 80).

Subs not used: Dale, O’Donnell, Male.

Goals: Preston (33), Hibbs own goal (60)

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

The hosts opened the scoring with a superb finish from Lewis Knight before the break. Despite hanging on for an extra 40 minutes, the Avenue conceded two goals in two minutes from Glen Taylor and Stephen Thompson. Into additional time, Taylor converted a penalty to give Jason Ainsley’s side the victory.

The Avenue, wearing their new white kit with green trim, familiar to the 3G surface, were playing some lovely one-touch stuff. Knight, leading the line, was causing plenty of problems for Nathan Buddle and Jordan Boon, playing off the shoulder but he was flagged offside a couple of times.

The first effort fell to Rob Ramshaw after receiving a pass from Taylor, but the number ten dragged his shot wide from 20 yards.

The home side had to thank Dan Atkinson with a superb save with his feet from Mark Anderson from outside the box, following a quick counter-attack.

Then, the Avenue broke the deadlock. Former Spennymoor Town midfielder Jake Hibbs threaded a lovely ball into the path of Knight, and after composing himself, the striker slotted home from 18 yards

Buoyed by taking the lead, Mark Bower’s side were showing some confidence, matching their opponents across the park, with Dockerty and Knight making the most of some excellent midfielder play from Nicky Clee and Isaac Marriott.

Just before the half-time whistle, Spennymoor Town were awarded a penalty as Adam Nowakowski brought down Kennedy inside the box. The striker stepped up and fired his effort over the bar from the spot.

Following the introduction of former Avenue man Jamie Spencer, the visitors dominated the second half from start to finish.

Yet again, Atkinson was called into action and produced a stunning save from close range as Jason Kennedy struck a powerful strike towards goal.

The Avenue, not helped by the withdrawal of Clee, struggled to get out of their own half as the men in yellow and blue pushed numbers forward. They were rewarded with their attacking threat when Spencer was fouled by Luca Havern in the area.

Taylor grabbed the ball and struck his shot low but Atkinson guessed the same way and held onto the ball.

Both Dockerty and Marriott left the pitch forcing the Avenue into using all of their substitutions.

Eventually, the pressure was too much for the hosts as Stephen Thompson’s corner was met by Taylor to nod the ball inside the near post.

From the restart, the Avenue lost possession and Ben McKenna sprinted 60 yards before finding Thompson, who slotted the ball past Atkinson from 12 yards.

With plenty to do and losing Luca Havern, the Avenue couldn’t trouble Dale Eve in the Spennymoor goal. Into added time, the away side were awarded a third penalty of the afternoon and this time, Taylor smashed the ball down the middle to give the side from Brewery Field the win.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Downing, Marriott (Windass 72), Havern (c), Lund, Knight, Hibbs, Nowakowski, Dockerty (Johnson 66), Clee (Bradley 59).

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

Goals: Knight (32)

Yellow: Marriott (23)

Spennymoor Town: Eve, Hornby-Forbes, Blakeman (Spencer 45), Kennedy, Buddle, Boon, Thompson (Hall 85), Anderson, Taylor (c), Ramshaw, McKenna

Subs not used: Norton, Moke.

Goals: Taylor (79, 90+2), Thompson (80)

Yellow: Anderson (37)

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors