Bradford Park Avenue 0

Gainsborough 0

Another goalless home draw extended Avenue's unbeaten run to six games but left them still needing at least a point from their final UniBond Premier Division game on Saturday to guarantee a home draw in the play-offs for the

Conference North.

The point earned against Gainsborough, who were themselves seeking points to ensure they stay on course for automatic promotion, saw Avenue break the 50-point barrier.

Another solid display from the back four and a faultless performance from on-loan Sheffield United keeper Andrew Britton resulted in the American's sixth clean sheet in 13 games for Avenue.

"I'm disappointed because I thought we played well enough to win it but we could not get the vital touch," said Bradford boss Carl Shutt.

Shutt had skipper Carl Serrant back in his side but was still without striker Jason Maxwell, midfielder Neil Grayston and winger James Russell. There was also a re-shuffle needed at half-time.

"We had two enforced changes and had to come out for the second half with a different shape," added Shutt. "Michael Naylor and Robbie Painter both had strains that would have got worse if they had played on."

It was a game that threatened to come to life but never quite managed it.

The visitors' former Bradford City striker Gareth Grant was experiencing the same frustrations as the home forwards.

Shots flashed wide of posts and crosses eluded everyone in packed goalmouths, it was just one of those games. Avenue's Andy Quinn and Serrant

floated in teasing corners from opposite sides but what former Avenue keeper Jamie Holmshaw could not claim, his defenders were equal to.

The second period finished in frantic fashion with both sides creating their best openings but still to no avail. An in-swinging Serrant corner landed the wrong side of the netting while Grant struck a 20- yard free-kick into Avenue's wall.

A Craig Smith shot bounced off the chest of Holmshaw but agonisingly behind the outstretched foot of Steve Oleksewycz and another low centre arrowing towards the striker was turned over the bar from two yards by a sliding defender.