Altrincham 2 Bradford Park Avenue 3

BRADFORD Park Avenue are off the foot of the National League North table after a slender but deserved win against fellow strugglers Altrincham at Moss Lane.

The hosts took an early lead with a well-taken strike by James Laurie and that proved to be the only goal of the first half.

Avenue had threatened in that opening period and their dogged determination was rewarded as they opened up a 3-1 lead with just 15 minutes remaining.

Ben McKenna levelled, with another shot from just outside the area, before Emile Sinclair edged Bradford in front and Nicky Wroe was on the end of a good move to stretch the visitors' advantage.

Sinclair was denied a second, first by a goal-line clearance and then the crossbar, before a tense ending after the hosts pegged a goal back through Sean Miller with yet another spectacular shot from distance.

Meanwhile, THACKLEY leapfrogged neighbours Liversedge in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League as a 2-1 home win saw them climb to second place in the Premier Division.

The Dennyboys had to come from a goal down to beat sixth-placed Handsworth Parramore but second-half goals from Craig Bentham and a Dan Clayton penalty saw them to the three points.

LIVERSEDGE were at home to mid-table Clipstone in the League Cup and their third-round tie went to extra time before the visitors emerged 4-2 winners.

ECCLESHILL UNITED slumped to another disappointing defeat in Division One as they were beaten 3-0 at basement outfit Nostell MW.