BRADFORD (Park Avenue) were left to rue a final 10 minutes against Warrington Rylands yesterday which could yet prove decisive in their relegation battle.

The Northern Premier League Premier Division strugglers were on home territory at Horsfall, and had taken the lead through on-loan Blackpool striker Jake Daniels, only to be pegged back midway through the second half by Momadou Toray.

But the hosts won a penalty with 10 minutes to go, only for Jordan Preston to see his spot-kick saved by Rylands keeper Luke Pilling.

And Avenue’s misery was compounded moments later when James Baillie headed home the winner for the visitors.

The upshot of the defeat for Danny Whitaker’s side is that they remain in the relegation zone on goal difference only, level on points with Basford United, though the Nottinghamshire outfit have a game in hand.

Warrington had the first chance of yesterday’s game, but fired a shot wide of the post, before Preston’s shot on the edge of the box for Avenue was deflected just over.

But Avenue were soon celebrating, as Daniels gave them the lead on 26 minutes.

Home striker Adrien Thibaut, signed by Whitaker at the start of this month, drove at the Macclesfield defence and fired a right footed shot across goal.

Pilling could only parry the ball into the danger zone, and Daniels reacted quickest to sidefoot into the empty net to put Avenue ahead.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: This shot from Adrien Thibaut led to Avenue's opener yesterday.This shot from Adrien Thibaut led to Avenue's opener yesterday. (Image: John Rhodes.)

It was a quiet game by and large, but with the hosts in front, a 1-0 lead suited them just fine, as they looked set to move out of the drop zone.

But Touray had other ideas, and he turned home a corner to draw the visitors back level after 68 minutes.

Ryley D’Sena was booked soon after for Avenue, before a cagey game exploded into life late on.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Ryley D'Sena's yellow card was the precursor to a thrilling finish at Horsfall.Ryley D'Sena's yellow card was the precursor to a thrilling finish at Horsfall. (Image: John Rhodes.)

The hosts won that penalty with 10 minutes to go, with Preston, who had scored from the spot in Avenue’s last home game, a 1-0 win against Stafford Rangers, on duty from 12 yards out.

But he was unable to repeat the trick this time around, as Pilling managed save the penalty with his trailing legs as he dived to his right.

A draw would still have been enough to drag Avenue out of the relegation zone, but Baillie’s dramatic goal on 84 minutes put paid to that as well.

Whitaker’s side will have to wait until next Saturday instead to try and move out of the bottom four, when they travel to mid-table Whitby Town.