Stalybridge Celtic 2, Bradford Park Avenue 2: Avenue's final game of 2002 on Saturday also served as a mini-review of the season so far.

Bradford put out a side depleted by injuries and suspensions, a harsh penalty was given against them, they scored from a cross, Ian Thompson was sent from the dug-out and chances to win the game were missed in the dying stages.

It was also a thoroughly entertaining encounter in which football, rather than the heroics of the physio, took centre stage.

Were it not for the horrific injury to goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel the losing streak that Avenue have suffered of late would have ended on Boxing Day.

Instead it did on Saturday at the home of last year's Conference strugglers Stalybridge Celtic.

Playing their best football for weeks, Avenue dominated proceedings in a goalless second half after a very eventful first period had seen two scores from each side.

With five players out with injuries and suspensions, Avenue were forced into a number of changes, including handing debuts to Andrew Wright, signed from Whitby, and midfielder Simon Collins (whose Boxing Day appearance has been wiped from the record books).

And the makeshift side lasted just 49 seconds before Jamie Holmshaw, in for Pfannenstiel, flapped at the game's first corner giving Earl Davis a chance to deflect in the shot from the loose ball.

Something special was required to get the visitors back into the game and away from their sixth straight loss, and new boy Collins, signed from Belper and scorer on his 'first' debut on Thursday, provided it.

Andy Hayward earned a thrown-in and then quickly despatched it to the rampaging Collins, who pulled it down on his ample chest before slipping past the outrushing keeper, Robbie Painter sliding in to make sure.

But then the curse of the penalties struck once more. For the third time in a month (referees at Worksop and Accrington being the other culprits) Avenue were on the wrong end of a harsh penalty decision.

James Stansfield clearly took the ball but the official felt Philip Eastwood had been taken out instead.

Eastwood then stroked the ball home before Painter picked up a yellow for dissent and assistant manager, and substitute for the day, Thompson was sent from the dug-out.

Whether there will be further punishment for his alleged push on the linesman remains to be seen.

But once again Avenue came back, with their new wing wizard providing the assist.

For the third time in three days a goal came as the resurgent Richard Tracey sent over a cross. This time it was Celtic's Danny Hooper who sliced it over his own keeper into the net.

Holmshaw redeemed himself with three fine second-half saves to keep Avenue in the game, while at the other end former Avenue man Craig Dootson was even busier keeping out Hayward, Painter and a blockbuster from Tracey.