Hednesford Town 1, Bradford Park Avenue 1

BRADFORD Park Avenue built on the previous Saturday's excellent home win over promotion-chasing Barrow by taking a point from a tough fixture at Hednesford Town.

The hosts were eighth in the Vanarama Conference North table and looking for a third straight home win. They had beaten basement outfit Hyde 4-1 and then Tamworth in the Birmingham Senior Cup in midweek.

Despite that form, Avenue almost caught them cold as Chib Chilaka came within a fingertip of giving Avenue a first-minute lead, Town keeper Dan Crane just managing to tip his header onto the bar.

It served as a warning for the Pitmen and they had Keys Park rocking soon after as they took a fifth-minute lead. A cross was knocked down to Marvin Robinson on the edge of the six-yard box and he fired past Avenue keeper John Danby.

Avenue had Chris Lever back from injury and there was a second start for young Bantams loanee Niall Heaton.

The visitors were looking strong and enjoying plenty of possession but were finding it difficult to break down their hosts.

Set-pieces looked the most likely source of a goal but it was the home side who had a late flurry of corners.

Danby did well to palm James Crowther's 41st-minute effort around the post but that led to a concerted spell of pressure and the half-time whistle was a relief to the visitors.

There was a good chance and vociferous penalty appeal just nine minutes into the second half. Ben Bailey should have scored when he bundled the ball goalwards but Billy Priestley cleared it off the line, the home side claiming it was by use of an arm.

Avenue boss John Deacey made three positive, attacking substitutions in the second half and his decision was rewarded.

Richard Marshall, who had replaced Paul Walker, headed just wide on the hour mark.

Nine minutes later Marshall combined well with fellow sub Lamin Colley, only for the latter player to fire wide across the face of goal. But Avenue were building a head of steam and finally made the breakthrough – and it was pantomime villain Priestley's powerful effort that beat Crane after he had been left unmarked in the area.

Avenue dropped one place in the table to 17th despite banking a good away point and are now one of three clubs on 15 points.

They trail Gainsborough Trinity and Brackley Town on goal difference but have played more games than both rivals.

It was more costly for the Pitmen as they tumbled from eighth to 12th.