Vanarama National League North: Boston United 3 Bradford Park Avenue 0

AVENUE dropped a point closer to the trapdoor following a defeat at promotion-chasing Boston United.

It was an eventful day for on-loan striker Liam Dickinson as he was handed the goalkeeper’s jersey.

The Guiseley forward had made just three appearances for Darren Edmondson’s side since Terry Dolan convinced him to join Avenue for the run-in.

His fourth game saw him donning the gloves, with first-choice keeper Jon Stewart sidelined due to a back problem. Understudy Ryan Jones and goalkeeping coach Matty Wright were both unavailable but Dickinson gave his new role his all.

He was helped out by an off-the-line clearance from Joe Wilkinson early on, but just after the half-hour he made a superb diving save to palm a Carl Piergianni header away from the top corner.

But just a minute later, Piergianni headed in following another long throw-in launched into the area by Zac Mills. The home side, who have former Bradford boss Martin Drury on their backroom staff, held that slender lead at half- time, despite two good efforts from Avenue’s Chib Chilaka, one of which was well saved by the Pilgrims’ shot-stopper Fabian Spiess.

Callum Chippendale replaced Lamin Colley before the second half kicked off, with the latter having received treatment for a head injury midway through the first period.

Spiess made a fine save to deny Chilaka again, and soon after Chippendale fired wide from a good position as the visitors began the second half very brightly.

However, the Pilgrims doubled their lead via the same route as their opener when centre back Piergianni was sent forward for another long throw from right back Mills, and he also headed that past Dickinson.

Avenue skipper Simon Ainge picked up a yellow card and Kaine Felix shot just wide of the target as the home side had a good spell.

Dickinson was also back in the middle of the action when he tipped over a shot from Felix that took a hefty deflection and looped towards goal.

But Dickinson was to be beaten again, and again – to Edmondson’s frustration – it was from another set-piece. Dylan McEvoy’s corner kick was helped on by substitute Mark Jones, and Dayle Southwell slotted in.