Solihull Moors 4, Bradford Park Avenue 1

Avenue's Vanarama Conference North misery continued as they suffered a heavy defeat at fellow strugglers Solihull Moors.

The midlands side were just two places above Avenue and on the same points total before the game but have now pulled away following their success.

It was a defeat that John Deacey's men were not expecting after they rediscovered their early-season form in the FA Cup despite their ultimate exit.

Avenue had suffered just one loss in their previous three games, when they were only just put out of the cup by league leaders AFC Fylde.

After a goalless draw at home to Brackley in their last league fixture, they held Fylde to a 2-2 draw at Horsfall and only lost the replay 2-1 after extra time.

Deacey had hoped that form would have restored the confidence in his squad but the old frailties and individual errors were back at the Autotech Stadium.

Things looked bright at first as new signing Lamin Colley was picked out by a fifth-minute cross, although he failed to mark his debut with a goal as his header was easily claimed by the home keeper.

Five minutes later the hosts opened the scoring when a good cross was met by a volley. That effort was blocked but the rebound dropped to Omar Bogle and he slotted into the unguarded net.

Avenue responded but their first effort was also blocked at the expense of a corner that they could not capitalise on.

Solihull were creating far more chances than the visitors but all they had to show for it at half-time was a 2-0 lead after Ryan Beswick had doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

Avenue keeper John Danby had done well to parry a free-kick from Darryl Knights but once again the ball dropped kindly for the home side and Beswick, making his 150th appearance for the club, netted.

The under-pressure Danby picked up a yellow card for dissent before the first half finished.

Bogle had the first chance of note in the second half but Danby parried and the ball was cleared.

Avenue had two rare sights of goal in the space of a few minutes but their luck was out as the woodwork saved the Moors from conceding at the second of those chances.

The home side replied with a third goal but again it was from a parried strike. This time the ball found Solihull right back Michael Nottingham and he chipped over Danby.

Moors went down to ten men with five minutes remaining after a head injury once they had used all three of their substitutes. Avenue could not take advantage of the situation, although they did briefly reduce the arrears.

Into the second minute of five added on, a free-kick found Paul Walker at the far post and he neatly slotted in.

But 60 seconds later Danby parried a shot from Bogle, only to see Knights first to react and nod in the loose ball.