FA Trophy third qualifying round: Stockport County 2 Bradford Park Avenue 0

BRADFORD Park Avenue failed to replicate their win at Edgeley Park the previous weekend as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

It was the first hurdle for the Vanarama National League North rivals, and if Avenue boss Mark Bower had been offered one victory from back-to-back away days against the Hatters, he would have chosen the 2-1 league win from the week before and the three points that it brought.

Saturday’s tie was a slow starter, which could have been due to the sides being tentative after locking horns so recently or it could have been because of the frosty surface.

Midway through the first half, the home side began creating openings.

A John Marsden shot was deflected for a corner, Avenue’s Danny Boshell was yellow carded for a foul as the Hatters broke forward, and Kayode Odejayi – who was on target the previous week – headed just wide.

After that brief spell of pressure, Sam Minihan broke the deadlock just after the half-hour as he turned a Danny Lloyd cross past Avenue keeper Jon Worsnop.

Minutes before the break, Worsnop pulled off a cracking save to prevent Lloyd from doubling the home side’s advantage.

Avenue battled their way back into the game after the interval, and almost levelled the tie soon after the hour when Nicky Wroe hit a post with a 20-yard volley.

Luke Dean went one better as he beat Hatters’ keeper Ben Hinchliffe after being found by Emile Sinclair, but the offside flag came to the home side’s rescue.

There were half-chances for Avenue either side of a Worsnop save that denied Marsden, and Sinclair should have equalised four minutes from time but he placed his shot wide from ten yards.

The Hatters were relieved and sealed their progress with Marsden’s stoppage time goal.

Farsley Celtic will be in tomorrow lunchtime's draw but as an either-or after a 2-2 home draw against Avenue’s league counterparts Tamworth.

Following a goalless first half, played out in thickening mist at a freezing Throstle Nest, James Walshaw fired the Celts ahead from a tight angle.

Walshaw almost gave the home side a two-goal lead but his effort minutes later hit the bar, and the Lambs levelled though Steve Tomassen with 20 minutes remaining.

The Celts must thought they had won the tie when substitute Jacob Hazel netted a stunner in the 88th minute but four minutes into time added on Tamworth sub Danny Newton equalised.

The replay will be at the Lamb Ground on Tuesday, and the winners will know by then who awaits them in the next round.