A groundsman is today threatening to quit if Bradford Park Avenue manager Trevor Storton does not apologise for criticising his pitch.

But the club have hit back, warning the state of the playing surface will put off prospective players.

The pitch battle began after the UniBond Premier side were beaten 5-1 at home by Worksop Town, with the boss branding the playing surface an 'absolute disgrace'. And now Anthony Doyle, who maintains the pitch, has threatened to stop work at the ground unless those comments are withdrawn.

"Last year he was praising the playing surface, saying it was the best in the division," said Doyle, who works for sub-contractor Glendale, who maintain the Council-owned pitch.

He added: "Just because they got thrashed he is blaming the pitch. It is not right what he is saying, I put my heart and soul into that ground and he just comes out and says that.

"They train on it after we spike and roll it, no wonder it is not up to the standard required. I take offence to the comments as I know the pitch has improved over the last year. Unless I get an apology I will be resigning my post as groundsman of Horsfall Stadium."

Storton was upset at the attitude of some of his players following the defeat but he saved his worst broadside for the Council management in charge of the playing surface.

"The pitch was an absolute disgrace," said Storton today.

"There is something wrong when the pitch isn't rolled from training on a Wednesday to matches on a Saturday.

"We are a footballing side and it is difficult to play to our strengths when the ball could go anywhere on a rutted playing surface.

"How are we expected to attract new players down here when our facilities are not up to scratch - we have problems with training because of the athletics at Horsfall Stadium and problems with the pitch.

"It is things like this that stop our club going forward and realising its potential."

Chairman Frank Thornton added: "The pitch was not up to the standard required and the Council need to sort something out so that the playing surface is of the required quality."