Moor bad luck as Avenue are denied (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Moor bad luck as Avenue are denied

12:00pm Monday 7th February 2005 in Sport

Bradford Park Avenue 1

Moor Green 1

Avenue broke their goal drought and looked on course for a first win of the year in the Conference North before Mark Owen said 'Take that' following a contentious offside decision.

Two dubious decisions robbed Avenue of their first maximum of 2005. Owen's goal levelled for Moor Green following the first and the second, late in the game, denied Bradford City youngster Daniel Ekoku a winner.

Ekoku made a promising debut after being signed on loan by Bradford boss Carl Shutt on Friday.

Shutt, delighted to have acquired Ekoku, has suffered misfortune since he took over but refused to use the mistakes of the officials as an excuse for his side dropping two more points.

"People must be thinking I'm going mad, losing it, when I keep saying the same things week after week so I will leave it to the people at the ground to discuss it," said Shutt.

"I thought we created enough chances to win the game and I'm disappointed that we haven't. On the other side we have lost three players to injury in this game. That won't help us next time but I think Daniel is a great signing for the club. He gives us the height we have been lacking up front.

"He tired near the end but while he has been playing regularly it has been for City's reserves, not the same draining experience as playing in games like this."

Avenue started well but there were worrying signs of Moor Green being dangerous on the break. A brilliantly-timed and executed sliding tackle from Jason Wray ended one foray and an offside flag brought another sigh of relief.

Just after the half-hour, Owen underlined his ability to get into a scoring position. His shot from the edge of the area had Avenue keeper Andy Britton stranded but it clipped the top of the bar.

Avenue took the lead in the 42nd minute with a super move and finish.

Britton fed Craig Smith and his through ball on the half-volley found Steve Oleksewycz. He raced forward to round Green keeper Adam Rachel and slot home.

A substitution was forced on Avenue during the break with Wray forced off with a calf injury. Midfielder James Coubrough replaced him but it meant a switch from 3-5-2 to a

4-4-2 system.

Avenue coped despite that and threatened to extend their lead until the visitors scored an equaliser out of nothing.

A long ball forward was heading for Neil Davis, who was in an offside position. Realising he could not get involved he trotted back but that left Owen in the clear and the Avenue defence in total confusion. Britton raced off his line but was beaten by a well- placed lob from 20 yards.

Avenue lost skipper Dean Jones with a medial knee ligament injury and later midfielder Jonathon Holland - both substitutions resulting in further changes to the system.

The last twist that denied Avenue a win came just five minutes from time.

A low drive from Ekoku forced Rachel to concede a corner. The ball was whipped in and Ekoku was denied by a save from the keeper before Avenue substitute Chris Ndukba saw his header cleared off the line.

Ekoku gathered the chip back into the area and rifled a shot into the far corner only for his celebrations to be cut short by the assistant referee's flag, despite centre back Guy Sanders appearing to play the attackers onside.