Park Avenue 1 Boston 2

(after extra-time, 1-1 after 90mins)

Bradford Park Avenue’s dreams of promotion to the Blue Square North were shattered by an extra-time winner that took Boston United up instead.

The UniBond League Premier Division play-off final was all square at the end of 90 minutes but the visitors edged the result with the all-important strike.

Avenue had home advantage because they had finished the regular season higher than Boston.

That counted for nothing as the Boston players and officials celebrated with their supporters, who made up around two thirds of the 2,200-plus crowd at Horsfall Stadium.

After the match, an emotionally drained John Deacey intimated that it may have been his last game in charge of Avenue.

If it is, he will leave disappointed but full of pride in his players after a “wonderful game”.

He said: “I’m very proud of the players. It was very close and tense at times but a great game from beginning to end.

“We went in front through a wonderful goal and we had a very good start to the second half.

“At that time Damian Reeves hit the woodwork and, if that had deflected in instead of coming out, it would have been 2-0 and I would have fancied us to close the game out.

“You have to give full credit to Boston for getting back into the game and going on to a narrow victory.

“They are a very good side and I have been saying that all season.”

Avenue forced the first chance but the visitors enjoyed a high percentage of possession in the first quarter.

Just after the half-hour Avenue, somewhat against the run of play, broke the deadlock.

Aiden Savory helped a through ball on to his strike partner Reeves and he raced into the area before lashing in a fierce angled drive.

That goal may have come from a breakaway but Savory had a shot blocked and a strong penalty appeal turned down as Avenue finished the half strongly.

Nine minutes into the second half, Reeves was free in the area again but this time his shot cannoned back off the frame of the goal.

Just after the hour Boston got back into the game, and the assist came from a substitute with almost his first touch. Ryan Semple got behind Avenue centre back Brett Renshaw and his cross to the far post was lashed in on the half volley by Marc Newsome.

Both sides went for the win, trying to avoid the energy-sapping extra half an hour at the end of a long campaign but they could not be separated.

Two minutes into the first period of extra-time, Avenue keeper John Lamb pushed a Semple shot round the post for a corner. When the flag-kick was delivered, Lamb made another reaction save but Anthony Church was on hand to stab in the rebound.

The game was still very much alive and it remained that way until the third minute of stoppage time in extra-time when the referee’s whistle went and an army of relieved Boston supporters stormed on to the pitch.

Deacey said: “I’m immensely proud of the players and they showed in this game just how good they are and how they can compete with the best.”