IT was a week of mixed fortunes for Bradford Park Avenue.

They were delighted to earn a home FA Cup replay against Harrogate Town on Saturday and got a further boost when skipper Shane Killock made his long-awaited comeback on Sunday.

But that was where the good news ended as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Harrogate in Monday’s replay.

Despite bowing out of the cup, manager Mark Bower was pleased with what he’d seen from his players in two tough games against Vanarama National North leaders.

Bower said: “We had a plan in the away game and that was to go there, frustrate them and play on the counter and it worked well.

“We matched a very good side throughout the game and had a couple of good late chances, so looking back on it it’s a little bit frustrating that we didn’t win.

“The replay was another good, hard game and we did even better in that one.

“We were on top and we were pushing for an opening goal when they went down the other end and get a free kick that should never have been given and it made it worse when they got a big deflection on the shot and got the goal.”

Bower felt Lady Luck deserted his side.

“That wasn’t the only thing that went against us on the night.

“It just wasn’t meant to be for us in the FA Cup this year but we showed that we can stand up to the big teams in our league.

“Not just in those two games but in that long unbeaten run we had so we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Killock has not featured for Avenue this term but he played a full 90 minutes in a behind closed doors friendly a week last Monday and has gone out on a month’s loan to league rivals Boston United.

The 28-year-old centre back played a full game for the Pilgrims at the weekend as they progressed in the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division outfit AFC Mansfield.

Bower said: “I spoke to Shane on Sunday and he came through his first game okay and was pleased that he’d played the full 90 minutes.

“Boston played a team from a few divisions below so it was a good game for him to come back into.

“He needs to play and we need him back but with three centre halves playing so well for us while Killa’s been out, Luca Havern, Mark Ross and James Knowles, we couldn’t just throw him back in so it would have been ten minutes here 15 minutes there.

“It was the ideal time to get him a loan spell somewhere so we circulated Shane’s name and within hours the phone was ringing off the hook.

“Boston were one of the clubs that wanted him and because they’ve missed that type of player he will get games there.”