BRADFORD Park Avenue's survival hopes in the West Riding County Women's League have been thrown into confusion after the deduction of six Premier Division points for allegedly fielding ineligible players.

The problem appears to have arisen after a dispute over clearance from the transferring club in respect of recent signings, although Avenue are contesting the decision.

In the meantime, it is not possible to estimate just how crucial their 4-3 win over third-bottom Ossett Town may have been in these circumstances.

The win would have left Avenue home and dry in the survival stakes without the points deduction – but now they find themselves second from bottom and a point behind Ossett.

A defeat in that last game would have left them four points adrift but they secured their win with a determined display in a game of fluctuating fortunes.

Ossett took the lead on 20 minutes but Avenue hit back to draw level at the break through Nat Bell and then take a second-half lead with a Jade Nelson goal.

Although the visitors then equalised, goals by Nic Chamberlain and a second from Bell appeared to have sown it up for Avenue, although there was still time for the visitors to score again and make it a tense finish.

Ossett now have only one game left but Avenue have four and play the first of those tomorrow at home to second-placed Tingley Athletic.

In the FA Women's Premier League, Guiseley Vixens edged closer to an immediate return to the Northern top flight with a 4-0 win at home to bottom club Tranmere Rovers.

This lifted them into second place behind Hull City, three points adrift but with four games in hand and a far superior goal difference.

The Vixens led 2-0 at the break and added two more goals in the second half as Natalie Brace (2), Sarah Danby and Chantelle O'Hara secured the points.

Guiseley can return to top spot if they win their home clash with third-placed Chorley tomorrow.

Brighouse Town look safe in this division after a 4-0 win at Crewe lifted them eight points clear of the relegation zone. Charlotte Proud (2), Lauren Doyle and Annabelle Cass were the Brighouse scorers.

In the Reserve Division, Bradford City, Guiseley and Brighouse occupy three of the bottom four places in the Northern Section, with City losing 5-0 at home to Middlesbrough and Brighouse going down 4-0 to Newcastle last week.

Bradford are at leaders Huddersfield Town tomorrow, while Guiseley are at Blackburn Rovers and Brighouse are without a game.