Bradford Park Avenue 5, Droylsden 0

Bradford Park Avenue’s best results this season have come away from home but they treated Horsfall Stadium fans as they stormed to a big home victory over Droylsden in Blue Square Bet North.

The win, and the scoreline, was significant as it lifted Avenue above Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Town on goal difference. John Deacey’s men are now sixth, just outside the play-off zone, and they host fifth-placed Altrincham on Wednesday.

Already-relegated Droylsden have no shackles so are playing with the freedom of a side who know their fate.

They made it difficult for their hosts in a first half that seemed destined to end goalless until on-loan Bantams striker Adam Baker’s late strike.

All-action Avenue skipper Nathan Hotte closed down Bloods keeper Dale Latham and his hurried clearance went straight to Baker.

Time appeared to stand still as the City youngster set himself but he finally drilled the ball into the unguarded net.

After the stern resistance mounted by the visitors in the first half, Avenue raced into a three-goal lead in quick time after the interval.

Hotte sent an excellent diagonal through ball into the path of Paul Walker and he finished well.

The provider netted the next goal himself after another perfectly-weighted incise pass. Substitute Aiden Savory was the player responsible and Hotte took his time before curling a shot past Latham.

The Bloods were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute when Jimmy Derbyshire went in heavily on Jordan Deacey and any hopes of the game becoming a contest went with him as he trudged off.

Hotte slipped as he checked back after breaking into the area but still managed to scoop the ball to Richard Marshall, who fired in Avenue’s fourth goal on the half-volley.

Substitute Jamie Jackson made it a nap hand eight minutes from time with a low shot that slipped under Latham and trickled over the line.