Vanarama National League North: North Ferriby United 1 Bradford Park Avenue 0

AVENUE suffered their first league defeat since a 2-0 setback at Stockport County in October when North Ferriby ended their long unbeaten run by the narrowest of margins, despite the home side finishing with ten men.

Avenue’s leading scorer Chib Chilaka picked up a late injury in the FA Trophy win over National League Lincoln City, and that kept him out of the squad.

He was replaced by James Walshaw, with the only other change from the 2-1 win over the Imps being Adam Mather, who had returned from illness, reinstalled at left back, with Alex Pursehouse dropping to the bench.

United made a fast start, forcing a couple of early corners, but the visitors were defending well, and Ferriby keeper Adam Nicklin did well to prevent Craig King from opening the scoring with a low drive.

There was a glorious opportunity for the home side midway through the first half when Craig Bateson picked up a loose ball and found Liam King but the Ferriby skipper lifted his shot over Jon Stewart’s goal.

Jake Scott, who was walking a tightrope after picking up a second-minute yellow card, did well to get a cross in but a stretching Walshaw couldn’t control it and his glancing header went wide.

Avenue were dominating, and Paul Marshall and his namesake Richard both had shots blocked by desperate home defence.

Walshaw had the ball in the net when he chipped Nicklin, but from an offside position.

On the half-hour, Tom Denton tested Stewart but the Avenue keeper was equal to the effort.

Soon after, the visitors were on the attack, with Jason St Juste, on his return to his former side, seeing a shot blocked.

There were half-chances at both ends as the first half ended goalless.

Both sides stepped it up after the break, and Richard Marshall headed just over from Scott’s 47th-minute cross, and minutes later the latter headed an effort off his own line following a corner.

Paul Marshall picked out Walshaw with a precise through ball but the striker placed his shot wide after cutting in to get a sight of Nicklin’s goal. With the game on a knife-edge, Bateson had a great chance to break the deadlock for Ferriby but his shot was deflected wide.

Avenue forced free-kicks and corners but it was the home side who grabbed the all-important strike.

Ben Middleton broke down his flank and the full back’s cross was converted by Denton’s head.

The Villagers were reduced in numbers later when Middleton picked up his second yellow card, and Avenue piled the pressure on.

Visiting boss Martin Drury sent attacking options Lamin Colley and Michael Potts on for Richard Marshall and Walshaw late on but there was to be no comeback.