Bradford Park Avenue struggled to their fifth home league draw of the season - and were lucky to escape with a point.

After missing the previous three league matches through weather postponements, the side facing bottom club Leek Town looked strong on paper.

The bench even boasted class strikers Steve Oleksewycz and Tom Greaves. But the Horsfall Stadium faithful were in for a frustrating afternoon as Avenue failed to create anything meaningful - and had goalkeeper Jon Worsnop to thank for four outstanding saves.

Had Worsnop not been in such commanding form, Leek would have won only their second game of the season.

It was the loan keeper's last game but Avenue manager Gary Brook is trying to negotiate an extension.

Up front, the home side mana-ged just one shot on target all game - a tame free-kick by Tom Agus.

Greg Challender was captain for the day and Curtis Bernard was making his league debut up front alongside Phil Hadland, Dean Calcutt and Liam Flynn.

With Dean Jones missing, Agus and Chris Siddall were employed as centre halves with Brook Newton and Craig Smith operating at left and right back.

The game started in scrappy fashion and never improved. Worsnop was soon in action when he dived low to keep out a David MacPherson shot.

The first real Avenue attack did not come until the 20-minute mark when Calcutt was scythed down after some trickery on the edge of the Leek penalty area. Agus hit the free-kick straight at keeper Adam Wilkes - and that was all the visiting keeper had to do all afternoon.

Avenue lost Smith after 25 minutes with an injury and he was replaced by new signing Rory Beans, conveniently enough a right back.

Calcutt, who was almost starved of the ball, forced a

corner but Newton put too much on his cross.

Then a snap-shot by Challen-der from a Calcutt cross flashed wide.

The second half saw Leek push up and nearly embarrass Avenue with a series of raids. A deflected cross bounced back

off a post as the home support collectively shook their heads.

Then Worsnop was again called into action - this time saving at the feet of Alex Brown.

Greaves replaced Flynn after 60 minutes but Leek were looking even more dangerous - and every time Avenue tried to push forward, the visiting defenders outmuscled them.

After 75 minutes, Oleksewycz was brought on for Damien Dunne, who had been injured in a poor challenge. It was boss Brook's last throw of the dice.

But Leek were on the attack and Worsnop again foiled Brown with a fine save.

Oleksewycz found himself with a half-chance near the end but blasted over and then Leek missed a good opening when David Whittaker skied the ball over from close range.

Acting skipper Challender said: "We were poor from the start and as for me, I think the missus could have played better. Our goalkeeper was a different class. We said a big thank you to him in the dressing room.

"We were waiting for a spark and it never came. We haven't played in the best part of a month and it showed. But we prepared right and trained well. It was one of those games. We'll start again at Ilkeston next week."