BRADFORD Park Avenue and FC United of Manchester drew 0-0 in the baking sun amid a game of missed opportunities at the Horsfall Stadium.

The weather was more suited to cricket and the hard, bumpy surface helped neither side play their natural game.

Former Avenue striker Tom Greaves scooped a great chance over the bar for FC United and Avenue substitute Aidan Chippendale failed to slot the ball into an unguarded net as the pitch created problems.

Although both sides made chances in the first half, neither Jon Worsnop – in the home goal – nor FC United's Ryan Schofield were troubled.

The goalless draw may have frustrated both clubs as well as the majority of the crowd but, in hindsight, it was still a 'point gained' for Avenue.

Mark Bower’s men moved up one place to 16th in Vanarama National North and are now ten points clear of the relegation zone.

"Some might see that as two points dropped but we are further away from the bottom three than we were before kick-off so that’s a positive," said Bower afterwards.

On Chippendale's missed opportunity, Bower said: "We could have scored and no one knows that more than 'Chippy' who was a bit down in the dressing room at the end of game.

"He did exceptionally well to chase down a lost cause and then, after winning the ball, he was through on goal but he delayed his shot, trying to make certain that he scored and he got tackled by a covering defender.

"But even if it had gone in they could have gone down the other end and scored, or even scored twice to win the game."

Avenue are ten points clear of trouble with only 12 points to play for heading into the Easter weekend – and two games in the space of three days.

They may not have even gained a point on Saturday had Greaves tucked his one chance away.

The former Avenue striker had been picked out at the near post early in the second half by FC United right back Dale Tonge.

Worsnop was rooted in the middle of his goal but was relieved to see the ball take a bobble as Greaves struck and the effort looped over.

Chippendale’s failure to convert, meanwhile, was slightly more embarrassing as he had what seemed like an age to slot the ball into an empty net before Jordan Fagbola slid in to put the ball out for a corner.