Bradford Park Avenue 2, Chester 1

New Bradford Park Avenue signing Adnan Ahmed made himself an instant crowd favourite as he came off the bench for his debut and marked it with a stunning injury-time winner.

Avenue had been sixth in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, playing catch-up with second-placed visitors Chester. But this victory was a sign that they should not be ruled out of a third successive tilt at promotion to Blue Square Bet North.

Pakistan international Ahmed has been waiting for international clearance to sign for the Horsfall club after a spell playing in the Middle East.

The former Huddersfield winger wasted no time getting settled in and will be a cult figure after earning Avenue three valuable points which lifted them to fifth.

Chester started well and could have taken an early lead through Robert Booth but home goalkeeper John Lamb made a good block and saved Matty McNeil’s follow-up shot.

Avenue also went close in the early stages when a James Riley shot following a corner was just cleared. But they did break the deadlock from a later set-piece.

Another corner was forced and Nicky Boshell’s delivery was headed back into the danger area by Rob O’Brien, inviting Richard Marshall to slot in from close range.

It proved the only goal of the first half, although the visitors saw Matthew McGinn have one effort saved and skipper George Horan also go close.

The hosts created the first real chance of the second half, Adam Clayton getting a header to an Aiden Savory corner, but the visitors were soon on terms.

A good counter-attack saw Chester swarming forward and when Iain Howard swung in a cross, Booth met it to net from 25 yards.

Avenue boss John Deacey brought Ahmed into the action in the 66th minute but the newcomer had to wait to make his impact.

Chester’s own substitute Jamie Rainford was doing better and he put one chance wide and saw Lamb palm another for a corner.

Then in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ahmed was picked out by Billy Law before curling a shot from distance into the top corner.

The strike not only won the game for the home side but also eclipsed Booth’s earlier candidate for goal of the game.