Bradford Park Avenue 1, Boston United 3

A FIRST home defeat of the season saw Bradford Park Avenue tumble to tenth place in the Vanarama Conference North table.

There was no suggestion of the loss at half-time as Avenue led after holding a very good Boston side at arm's length.

But the Pilgrims were able to step up a gear after the interval and they turned the game on its head with three goals in an explosive nine- minute spell.

Avenue boss John Deacey said: "I'm very disappointed to lose that game after the first-half display – but we didn't take our chances.

"We could have made it 2-0 with a clear chance but wasted it. That could have sealed the result but it gave Boston a lift and they went on to win it.

"But their penalty wasn't a penalty and the second goal was a keeper's error, as Lamby (John Lamb) should have gathered an easy shot.

"Boston won because they took their chances. I'm sorry Chib (Chilaka) but I'm going to name you. He missed three great chances and the one that could have put us 2-0 up was an absolute sitter."

Chilaka was off target in the eighth minute when Avenue created their first opening. A Paul Walker free-kick fell to Julian Banton, whose first attempt was blocked and the second was a complete miskick. Chilaka latched on to the loose ball but fired wide.

Avenue broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when Walker's corner was meet by a solid header from Billy Priestley.

The home side were gifted another opportunity when Pilgrims keeper Matthew Gledhill picked up a back-pass. The wall for the resulting indirect free-kick was on the goal-line but Chilaka fired into it after Walker teed him up.

Boston came out for the second half in much more determined mood but got on level terms somewhat fortuitously as the penalty award was a soft one.

A free-kick was only half-cleared by the home defence and as David Fallah moved into the area, Nathan Hotte leaned on him and the midfielder went over. Dayle Southall's strike from the spot was emphatic.

The visitors smelt blood and went in for the kill, scoring twice in as many minutes soon after.

A shot from Fallah was spilled by Lamb and Zac Mills pounced to ram the loose ball in from close range. Then two minutes later Southall's low shot across the face of goal beat Lamb and nestled in the bottom corner.