BRADFORD Park Avenue lit up Bonfire Night with a gritty and determined performance to triumph 3-2 and move off the bottom of the National North table.

The fact that they got only their second win of the season at Broadhurst Park, the home of long term rivals FC United, was an added bonus.

Two of the three players on the matchday team sheet that had represented both clubs started for Avenue - centreback James Knowles and goalkeeper Jon Worsnop - but the Mancunians’ former Bradford forward, Tom Greaves, was only among the substitutes.

Avenue were boosted by the return from a hamstring injury of assistant/player-manager Danny Boshell. He was restored to the side in central midfield while new signing Oli Johnson started in attack.

There was an early chance for the home side when Worsnop did well to parry Jason Gilchrist’s shot. Avenue’s Matt Hill blocked George Thomson’s follow up.

It had been a positive start by FC United but the hugely partisan 2,379 strong crowd were soon grumbling when Bradford took a 17th minute lead.

A throw-in dropped to Ben McKenna and his low volley nestled into the bottom corner.

Home goalkeeper Dave Carnell was picking the ball out of his net for a second time midway through the first half.

Nicky Boshell lofted a through ball over the home defence to Luke Dean - who was also making a return after serving a one game ban - and he fired in.

Johnson almost made it 3-0 in the 34th minute but the former Norwich City and Guiseley forward’s shot rolled agonisingly wide of the target.

The home side countered and should have halved the deficit minutes later. Worsop made another reaction save to deny FC United skipper Jerome Wright but the rebound dropped kindly for Gilchrist whose shot was cleared off the line by Shane Killock. Thomson drilled the loose ball back only to see Bradford skipper Ryan Toulson also clear off the line.

The home side got the goal they deserved on the brink of half time as Thomson set up Gilchrist and his shot beat Worsnop.

Bradford’s response was perfectly timed as they restored their lead just four minutes after the interval, quashing any real hopes of a second half comeback.

It was Nicky Boshell who pounced to get the final touch to divert Dean’s volley, from a McKenna cross, past Carnell.

There were spells of pressure from the home side and nervy moments but Bradford were also creating chances.

Johnson went close but also squandered some openings by not playing in his new team-mates.

Greaves was introduced from the bench by FC United and gave his former team mate Knowles plenty to think about.

Thomson netted from close range in stoppage time to make it 3-2 but Bradford held on for victory.