Chorley  0 – 0  Bradford (Park Avenue)

A third-successive point on the road was achieved at Chorley, despite playing the entire second half with only ten men after Shane Maroodza was shown a red card in first-half time added on. Shane was the unlucky one to have to go, following an altercation, while his opponent only received a yellow card.

Losing a player on the stroke of half time at least gave Avenue a chance to reorganise back in the changing room and the players came out for the second half to continue to give a solid display.

The home side, who had won 4 – 1 at Boston the week before, were allowed few chances to score throughout a game in which Avenue also had trouble finding a clear opening.

Unfortunately, the match itself will probably be remembered most for further incidents later in the game. Harrison Hopper received a booking, then one of Chorley’s substitutes who had been booked a little earlier was sent off as the final whistle approached for some off-the-ball pushing and shoving with Jacob Blyth. Blyth, who played for Chorley last season, was shown a yellow card for his part in the affair.

Manager Mark Bower said afterwards: ‘I thought the lads were magnificent in terms of their effort, work rate and desire to keep a clean sheet. They’ve given absolutely everything for us.’ And on our attacking play: ‘We certainly got in some very good areas and just lacked that final pass.’

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Lund, Havern, Maroodza; Fielding, Richman (Hopper 45+3), Blyth, Brooks (Smith 82), Church (Longbottom 76). Unused subs: Hall, Nowakowski.

Att. 913

With this game past the ninety-minute mark and it looking inevitable that Avenue would have to settle for a draw against one of the teams expected to challenge for promotion, the home side were rocked by a Kidderminster winner in the third minute of time added on.

This cruel blow came after Avenue had held the Kidderminster attack well while managing to create only a limited number of chances at the other end.

The best of these was probably when Andre Brooks let fly with a strong, low shot from 25 yards just after half-time, which the visiting keeper dropped on to save.

Much of the game, however, had seen few chances created by either side in windy conditions, as both teams generally cancelled each other out.

In the end, a looping header gave George Sykes-Kenworthy little or no chance in goal and Avenue virtually no time to respond. To make it even more frustrating, this was the visitors only serious attempt on target throughout the whole match.

There can be no surprise if Avenue have already marked this one down as a result to be reversed when the two sides meet again at Aggborough Stadium later in the season.

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Lund, Havern, Maroodza; Spencer, Richman, Blyth (Nowakowski 83), Brooks (Church 62), Hopper (Longbottom HT). Unused subs: Smith, Fielding.

Attendance: 542

Scarborough Athletic (0) 2 – 2 (1) Bradford (Park Avenue)

Avenue took a welcome point from their visit to newly-promoted Scarborough on Tuesday evening, but it could and possibly should have been all three after leading 2 – 0 with only five minutes plus added time remaining.

After only six minutes Jamie Spencer put Avenue ahead with a simply tremendous goal  – a clever lofted shot from halfway – a la David Beckham – made all the more spectacular by the keeper’s valiant attempt to keep it out. If there was any justice this would earn Jamie a ticket into the Premiership and he certainly deserved to be walking on air for the rest of the game. This goal will be watched over and over again on the BPA twitter account and mustn’t be missed!

With Avenue in the ascendancy and playing the better football, the lead was extended through the lively Andre Brooks just five minutes into the second half. Showing poise and composure on the edge of the six-yard box he took a touch before drilling a loose ball into the net following a corner.

After looking like becoming the first win of the season as the latter stages approached, the game was transformed following some controversial refereeing decisions. Scarborough pulled a goal back after 85 minutes and grabbed an equaliser five minutes later, with Jamie Spencer dismissed following a scuffle after the final whistle.

Manager Mark Bower, who was quite restrained in his after-match comments, said: ‘A lot of the performance was good, particularly up front, but I’m just gutted.’

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy; Odunston, Staunton; Lund, Havern, Maroodza; Spencer, Richman, Blyth (Nowakowski (76), Brooks (Fielding 88), Hopper.