Vanarama National League North: FC United of Manchester 2 Bradford Park Avenue 1

THE BIG Roses derby went the way of the red rose as FC United edged out West Yorkshire visitors Bradford Park Avenue at a packed Broadhurst Park.

Their Mancunian hosts are now within a point of their long-term rivals.

A crowd of 3,379 witnessed a tight encounter, and the vast majority of them were in fine voice when the home side took a third-minute lead.

It was Avenue’s first visit to the purpose-built home of the club spawned by disgruntled supporters of the other United in Manchester, and they did not make a good start.

Centre back Ryan Qualter defended well at the cost of a corner, and when the flag-kick was only-half cleared, George Thompson sent the ball back into the danger zone and, in a congested area, Matt Wolfenden got the final touch that took it past Bradford keeper Jon Stewart.

Avenue were awarded a free-kick just six minutes later but Richard Marshall’s delivery was headed just over by Billy Priestley.

The home side, who were on top in the opening stages, were soon back on the hunt for a second goal but when Jake Scott conceded a free-kick, Thompson could only fire it wide.

FC United’s Sam Sheridan was the next to threaten, following a corner midway through the first half but his shot went wide.

Avenue immediately countered, and a deflected Danny Schofield shot produced a corner which was met by Priestley but his header was also deflected.

That seemed to galvanise Avenue and they enjoyed a dominant ten-minute spell but there was a cruel end to that period of play.

Avenue defender Priestley again went close from a set-piece but the home side broke away and doubled their lead, Wolfenden this time with the assist, with the finish being applied by Thompson.

With almost an hour of the match still to play, it became end to end but the half-time break was reached with the home side still sitting on a two- goal lead.

The visitors won the second period 1-0 but that wasn’t enough to prevent them slipping to a second successive league defeat.

Avenue boss Martin Drury sent on Calum Chippendale, the former Bradford City youth forward who had joined Avenue on his release from Barnsley, for his debut but it was Lamin Colley who halved the deficit.

Colley, who has only just returned to Avenue after a spell at rivals Stockport County, pounced to steer the ball past FC United keeper Dave Carnell with just over seven minutes remaining.

Carnell did as much as any of the home players to earn their win when he pulled off a remarkable save to deny Craig King late on as the Mancunians held on, despite a very nervous ending.