Kidderminster Harriers 3 Bradford Park Avenue 1

BRADFORD Park Avenue’s season ended with back-to-back defeats but the scoreline flattered National League North runners-up Kidderminster Harriers.

Mark Bower’s Avenue ended the season in 16th spot and eight points above the relegation zone. When he took over, with two months of the campaign gone, Avenue were rock bottom.

Bradford City had sent Avenue a 'good luck' message via social media but Avenue had little good fortune on the day.

Both sides had chances before the hosts broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Joe Ironside met Tyrone Williams’ cross to steer a header past Ed Hall.

The visitors suffered another blow when centre back Adam Nowakowski was carried off just after the half hour mark.

Matt Hill moved into the centre of defence as Gavin Rothery came on from the bench - but the re-arranged rear guard conceded again minutes before the interval when Jordan Tunnicliffe was allowed a free header to meet a free kick.

Tunnicliffe went from hero to villain in the 67th minute when his foul on Oli Johnson led to a penalty that Nicky Wroe slotted past home goalkeeper Sam Hornby.

Avenue pressed for an equaliser in the last 20 minutes only to be caught by a sucker punch - Kidderminster substitute Liam Truslove scoring with a flicked header.

John Eustace’s Harriers now face a two-legged play off semi-final against Chorley after the Lancashire side sneaked into the end of season shoot-out.

The Magpies were included at the expense of fifth placed Darlington 1883 who have been ruled 'ineligible; due to ground grading criteria.

Stockport County, who kept their faint promotion hopes alive with a 2-0 win at the Horsfall Stadium a week earlier, missed out on the play-offs after a home draw against Gloucester City which attracted a record crowd for a National League second tier game of 5,783.