AFC Fylde 1 Bradford Park Avenue 0

BRADFORD’S second game of four in an eight-day spell ended like the first – with an away defeat against a National North promotion-chaser.

At least Park Avenue had a keeper for this game following the debacle at the weekend which saw on loan striker Liam Dickinson donning the gloves due to an injury and unavailability.

Second choice Ryan Jones was back between the sticks with regular keeper Jon Stewart still sidelined with a back complaint.

And Jones was almost beaten in the 38th minute when the Coasters’ Danny Rowe whipped in a long range free kick, but the upright came to the Bradford stopper’s rescue.

When Jones was beaten in the penultimate minute of the first half it was rather unfortunate.

Stephen Crainey lashed a speculative 30-yard effort that took a heavy deflection and looped over the visiting keeper.

The first scheduling of this game was on the final Saturday in March and it was washed out after just 34 minutes. Last night’s rearranged game was also affected by the weather but it was a vicious swirling wind that spoiled it.

The conditions almost led to a second goal for Fylde as Casper Hughes’ cross on the hour mark clipped the bar after sailing on the wind.

There were two late chances for Avenue skipper Simon Ainge but the Coasters held onto all three points.

GUISELEY host Wrexham in the National League tonight on what could be a crucial night in the Lions’ battle to avoid relegation.

With six games in the division – some involving the clubs around Mark Bower’s men – there could be significant movement in the table.

The Lions are just two points above the trapdoor and both they and their visitors go into the game on the back of defeats at the weekend. The Welsh club lost 1-0 at home to third-placed Dover Athletic, while Guiseley were beaten 2-0 at home by leaders Cheltenham Town.

FARSLEY CELTIC and BRIGHOUSE TOWN both have away games in the Evo-Stik Division One North tonight. The mid-table Celts travel to struggling Droylsden, while Town journey to Clitheroe, the side Farsley beat 2-0 on Saturday.

SILSDEN are also in action, and they could lift themselves out of the relegation zone by leapfrogging visitors AFC Blackpool who are just above the trapdoor.

THACKLEY were due to play a Northern Counties East League Cup quarter-final tie last night, but they have an outstanding fourth round tie at home to Glasshoughton Welfare following last Thursday’s postponement. That has been rearranged for Thursday.

IAN WHITING