Vanarama National League North: Corby Town 2 Bradford Park Avenue 0

A BATTLING display by Bradford Park Avenue at Corby Town’s Steel Park failed to produce a goal and they dropped to second from bottom in the Vanarama National League North after banking just two points from the first 15 on offer.

Kabongo Tshimanga, the home side’s loanee from Championship outfit MK Dons, put the skids under Martin Drury’s side, and former Bradford City loan striker Spencer Weir-Daley ended any hopes of a comeback when he sealed the Steelman’s victory with the killer goal a little over four minutes from time.

There was good news and bad for Bradford the day before the game, the good being that Danny Hall, Drury’s close-season target, had joined on loan from Guiseley.

The centre back has been short of match fitness after spending a lot of time on the bench for Mark Bower’s Lions since their promotion to the National League.

Drury had tried to sign him before the start of the season but Bower wanted to keep his options open.

Hall came straight into the side in place of the unfortunate Adam Clayton.

The defender missed most of the last 18 months with a hip injury that needed surgery and he is going under the knife again after breaking three bones in his face when he was caught by a stray arm in Wednesday’s home clash with AFC Fylde.

Hall and central defensive partner Simon Ainge, the Avenue skipper, were powerless as the Steelmen took a 17th-minute lead.

Greg Mills broke away down the flank, cut inside and rounded Ainge before laying the ball back for Tshimanga to slot in from four yards.

It was Tshimanga’s fifth goal,and all of them have come at home in Corby’s unbeaten start following promotion.

Avenue dominated long spells in the second half and created the better of the chances, with Massiah McDonald’s introduction from the bench at the break.

The lively forward was a handful for the home defence and was involved in moves that made two glorious openings for James Walshaw.

Weir-Daley came on for Tshimanga with 20 minutes to go and the former Bantam was a capable replacement for the prolific young striker.

Weir-Daley hit the bar soon after and,with the clock ticking down, he latched onto a through ball and calmly beat Avenue keeper Jon Stewart.