BRADFORD Park Avenue boss John Deacey had ‘nothing but praise’ for the club’s supporters and players this week.

After a thrilling and draining 2-2 draw against league leaders AFC Fylde in the FA Cup at Horsfall Stadium last Saturday the players had to lift themselves once again just three days later.

The second qualifying-round replay went on for on further 120 minutes as Fylde needed extra-time to finally see Avenue off 2-1.

Deacey felt the energy and adulation of the away section of the crowd was a huge spur to his players.

Deacey said: “The first thing I have to say is a massive thank you to the Avenue fans because they were absolutely magnificent on Tuesday. The support was fantastic from start to finish.

“The fans really got behind the team and applauded them off at the end. It was as if we had won the game the greeting was so warm. They had travelled a long way and seen their team knocked out but they appreciated the effort the lads had given.”

Fylde were the form team in the Conference North with six straight victories taking them two points clear and they took that momentum into the cup tie.

Avenue’s determination made it difficult for them and the Bradford club could have won either game.

Deacey’s men had tasted defeat earlier, in the league, at Fylde but that was also a close 2-1 affair. Fylde then eased to their next two victories, averaging three goals per game and keeping consecutive clean sheets.

The bookmakers were expecting the Coasters to do a demolition job on Avenue but they could not have been more wrong.

Deacey said: “The players were brilliant in both games. In the replay they showed character, especially in extra-time by coming back after they (Fylde) had got the early goal.

“I was disappointed for them at the end because they deserved something from it but the best side won to be fair. It was just one of those things but I should have known it wasn’t going to be our day when I was on my fifth left back.

“I’d lost Drury with him finishing (retiring) and Luke O’Brien was cup tied so I went with Chris Lever. He got injured in the warm-up so Jamie Price started but he got a thigh strain and had to come off after ten minutes.

“We put Chris Howarth there, as stop gap left back and their best player is the right winger. But to be fair to Chris he was superb, all the players were. I’d used all three subs because of injuries by the 55th minute and the game went to extra-time but they kept digging.

“I have nothing but praise for both fans and players.”