Bradford Park Avenue 2, Lincoln City 1

PARK Avenue pulled off a superb win over National League Lincoln City at Horsfall Stadium tonight despite finishing with ten men after keeper Jon Stewart was sent off late in their FA Trophy first round tie.

Avenue took a deserved first-half lead and doubled it after the break despite the Imps coming out with all guns blazing.

But they had to withstand some pressure, especially late on when Stewart was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Lincoln’s top scorer Matt Rhead.

It was no surprise that the first goal of the game came from the Jason St Juste supply line. The St Kitts and Nevis international was in blistering form right from the first whistle.

He had caused problems for the visitors before his great run on the half hour that culminated in his pass to Nathan Turner who beat Imps keeper Paul Farman with a well-placed shot.

St Juste had tied Lincoln’s left back Chris Bush in knots and he was replaced at the interval by Jack Muldoon.

The Imps started the second half with a purpose and Muldoon fired a free kick from the edge of the area over the bar after Jake Scott had fouled Alex Simmons.

Stewart, captaining Avenue in the absence of the injured Simon Ainge, was booked as he took too long to take the resulting goal kick.

The home side stretched their lead in the 75th minute when Craig King pounced on a weak back-pass and lashed a shot into the top corner.

The flash point of the game came after Stewart was fouled by Rhead, who had come on as a second half substitute. The Avenue stopper’s reaction was dreadful and earned a red card.

Bradford boss Martin Drury sent on defender Tom Burgin in place of midfielder Paul Marshall and he took over in goal.

Two minutes into the six of added time the Imps forced a corner and Muldoon beat Burgin with a shot that went in off a post.

Avenue saw out the remaining minutes to claim second round home tie against Nantwich Town.

Silsden must travel to the west coast tomorrow night for their twice postponed Men United Cup third round tie with AFC Blackpool.

The Cobbydalers had home advantage when the draw was made but the North West Counties League rules state that if a League Cup tie is postponed twice it must switch venue.