Nuneaton Town 1 Bradford Park Avenue 2

A THIRD win on the spin lifted Bradford Park Avenue out of the relegation places in National North for the first time since September.

Mark Bower’s Bradford could have won at the Liberty Stadium by a bigger margin, such was their appetite for the game and desire to win.

They now have a two-point cushion over the sides in the drop zone and are only three points behind 14th-placed FC United of Manchester.

Their placing was helped by near neighbours FC Halifax Town whose 2-1 win at Worcester City saw the Midlands outfit tumble into the bottom three.

But it was Avenue’s victory – their ninth since Bower took charge – that really lifted the club.

Boro have dropped alarmingly since their manager Tommy Wright’s honeymoon period ended.

Nuneaton enjoyed a run of victories that lifted them well clear of danger after Wright was appointed, but Saturday’s reverse was their fourth consecutive defeat and dragged them back into the equation.

Both sides struggled in the early stages on a poor pitch but there were some half chances. The visitors began well as Aidan Chippendale found some joy marauding down the left flank.

Avenue had one change to the line-up with Emile Sinclair starting – Luke Dean dropped to the bench – and the striker was almost on the end of one of Chippendale’s excellent crosses.

Oli Johnson was also picked out but he headed over the target.

There was a blow for Avenue as midfielder Nicky Wroe picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Shane Killock just after the half-hour mark.

The big defender only returned to the squad the previous Saturday following a long injury lay-off.

He certainly proved he was ready for a return though – he was on the pitch just nine minutes before breaking the deadlock.

Home keeper Tyrell Belfore spilled a Ryan Toulson free kick and Killock reacted to stab the loose ball in.

After the break, Boro skipper Kelvin Langmead had a good chance but he shot straight at Avenue keeper Jon Worsnop. The visitors capitalised when they doubled their advantage with 19 minutes remaining as Johnson blasted a Wayne Brooksby cross past Belfore.

Nuneaton pegged a goal back when Jordan Nicholson looped a header over Worsnop but it was a mere consolation.

Avenue will be defending their trophy tonight when they host Farsley Celtic in the semi-finals of the West Riding County Cup.

It’s an intriguing tie as Avenue have won the trophy for the last two seasons and are up against many of their former players and a manager.

John Deacey is joint boss of the Celts along with Neil Parsley, and their squad is packed with former Avenue players. Tadcaster Albion await the winners in the final at Valley Parade after they defeated Brighouse Town in the other semi-final.