Bradford Park Avenue 1

Brandon United 0

Avenue marched into the second preliminary round of the FA Cup with a comfortable if uninspiring victory over Northern League Brandon United at Hors-fall Stadium.

The next opponents will be Salford City, who journey to Brad-ford a week on Saturday, with West Yorkshire's UniBond Premier outfit Emley awaiting the winners.

After witnessing a solid and competent display from Avenue, manager Trevor Storton was very contented.

"They didn't come here to lie down," he said. "They gave us a hard game but never got behind us or hurt us so I felt we were always in control.

"The FA Cup is a special tournament and it always brings the best out of the underdog. They are lower than us in the pyramid and raised their game to give us a run for our money.

"If it had been Altrincham or Kidderminster we were playing down here it would have been us who were playing out of our skin. That is the nature of the cup - it always will be.

"We were the giants in this game and they came here to slay us, but we have done enough to be comfortably into the next round. Our keeper has gathered a few crosses, but that's what he is there for.

"It wasn't a particularly impressive display, but I am sure the spectators, and certainly the board, will not be too bothered how we got through. This was never going to be a famous victory, just a game that had to be won, and we did that with something to spare."

Brandon were given an early warning when Stephen Ball lashed the ball into the area from the left in the first minute. No-one dealt with the danger and the ball struck the foot of the post.

Another cross from Ball picked out Dean Calcutt, but his header was turned round for a corner. Ball swung in the kick, but centre back Micky Thompson headed well wide of Ben Cole's goal.

His opposite number Gavin Kelly watched a Steve Huggins shot climb over his bar, but was eventually put to work when he tipped a Graeme McDonald effort over for a corner.

The game's only goal came in the 28th minute. A Danny Verity cross was firmly headed home by Thompson - the defender's third goal in four games for Avenue.

Avenue still looked capable of adding to their lead, but despite Jason Maxwell, Wayne Benn and Calcutt going close they failed to do so.

Verity limped off in the 50th minute with an ankle injury, but has a week to recover as tomorrow's UniBond Division One derby with Guiseley is now postponed.