Fleetwood Town 2, Bradford Park Avenue 1

If this commemorative but competitive match is anything to go by then Park Avenue are not too far behind the team who finished exactly a full division higher.

Fleetwood Town won the Peter Swales Memorial Shield but the odd goal that separated them from their Bradford opponents reflected yesterday's meeting.

The west-coast Cod Army' had home advantage for the fixture because they won the UniBond Premier, while Avenue picked up the First Division North title.

The weather was fair, the pitch was flat and firm so the conditions were perfect. The wind increased from a gentle breeze in the second half but it did not interfere with the quality of the football.

Fleetwood broke the deadlock midway through the first half, and that was justified. They won a corner, centre back Ricky Mercer was sent forward and he netted with a header right into the top corner.

Instead of consolidating and running away with the game, Fleetwood eased off and Bradford came more into the game.

Mark Bett and Mike Moseley were narrowly flagged offside and Mark Jones sent in a shot that flew just wide.

The equaliser came around the hour mark and, unsurprisingly, it was from Avenue's inspirational skipper Steve Connors.

Left winger Liam Flynn curled a corner in, a defender headed the ball out but only as far as Connors, who lashed it into the net on the half- volley.

Moseley flicked over when presented with a good chance to put Avenue in the lead and Fleetwood recovered to score a winner ten minutes from time.

Once again it stemmed from a corner. Midfielder Jamie Milligan rose highest, his header took a deflection and then went in off the post.

Avenue had missed centre back Paul Stoneman - he was unavailable due to work commitments - and his aerial prowess. Dave Cameron's team is not a side that usually leaks goals from set-pieces.

The Bradford boss has resolved to address the issue of height in the ranks during his first close season.

Cameron has already indicated that there will be a major influx of signings this summer as he and the board plot another successful campaign beginning next August.

Avenue will be rivals with FC United of Manchester once more.

The club spawned by disgruntled fans of the mighty Manchester United after the takeover by the Glasier family earned a third successive promotion yesterday.

While Avenue were competing for a trophy at Fleetwood, it was FC United who were involved in a much more meaningful game.

After finishing as runners-up, albeit by one point, to Avenue, they were forced to battle through the lottery of the play-offs.

They were successful in the final, winning 4-1 at home against Skelmersdale United in front of a crowd of 3,258.