Doncaster reward for Bradford Park Avenue in FA Cup (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Doncaster reward for Bradford Park Avenue in FA Cup

7:37pm Sunday 21st October 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Bradford Park Avenue 4, Ossett Albion 1

Avenue reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for a second successive season with a comfortable but flattering fourth qualifying round victory over Evo-Stik League Division One North outfit Ossett Albion.

The Conference North club were favourites to win as they had home advantage and play their football two divisions higher.

But Ossett were determined to make their hosts work for their win – which earned an attractive trip to face League One side Doncaster – and, despite the scoreline, they did.

Bradford slightly edged a drab opening half hour but the visitors stung them by taking the lead in the 33rd minute.

A corner from Albion skipper Adam Hayton reached the far post where Tom Corner was lurking and he headed in.

The home side came up with the best response possible by attacking and they levelled less than three minutes later.

Again it was from a set-piece as Martin Drury whipped in a deep corner kick, Danny Holland headed it back and James Knowles volleyed home.

Knowles almost repeated the feat minutes later but this time fired wide.

Corner was fortunate to be shown just a yellow card for a rash challenge on Avenue right back Michael Duckworth in first-half stoppage time.

Alex Davidson had a quiet game by his standards but put the hosts in front for the first time 11 minutes after the interval.

Running onto a Richard Marshall through-ball, he curled a shot around advancing Albion keeper Jody Bartford.

The contest was over five minutes from time when Bartford was beaten by his own centre back Tyrone Gay.

Another corner from Drury dropped into the six-yard box and Gay instinctively stuck out a leg, only to shin the ball into the net.

Three minutes into stoppage time Bradford scored their fourth and once again it was Davidson racing into the area, this time tucking a shot under Bartford.

Avenue boss John Deacey said: “We haven’t been convincing but we are through and that’s all that counts in cup football.

“Ossett were much better than the score suggests but my players have shown a lot of character and stuck to their task. It was another professional job done, even though we did it the hard way.”