Vanarama National League North: Bradford Park Avenue 1 Nuneaton Town 1

BRADFORD Park Avenue extended their unbeaten run in Vanarama National League North to six games but still endured a frustrating afternoon against ten-man Nuneaton Town.

The Boro were reduced in numbers when Joel Dielna fouled Adam Boyes just outside the area in the 54th minute, a second yellow-card offence.

Nicky Clee took the resulting free-kick, and struck it well but it was brilliantly clawed out of the top corner by Dean Lyness.

Lyness wasn’t troubled by Nicky Wroe’s penalty four minutes later following a handball in the area, with Wroe blasting his effort well over the target - his first miss from the spot in Avenue colours.

Avenue manager Mark Bower said, “It’s one of those when you look back at it that’s definitely two points dropped rather than one gained.

“When you’re up against ten men and you get a penalty to go in front, it’s disappointing to have to settle for a draw.

"We also created other chances and Mark Ross hit a post but, having said that, it’s always hard playing against ten.

“But we didn’t do the right things against a side with ten men. We went too direct and I don’t know where that instruction came from.

"It certainly didn’t come from anyone in the dug out - that’s when you look at your leaders on the pitch.”

Both goals came in the first half, with Avenue having to come from a goal down after shocking defending.

Boro wide man Billy Daniels did well on the left-hand side of the area and played the ball across the area for Tom Elliott to net from point-blank range.

That was in the sixth minute, and Avenue keeper Ed Hall was left exposed by his defence twice more but conceded no more goals.

Avenue levelled midway through the first half when Oli Johnson rifled home a shot from inside the area after a corner wasn’t cleared.

There were two strong penalty appeals by Avenue and a hopeful shout from the visitors in the first half, while Boro hit the bar after the interval and Avenue were denied by a post inside the last ten minutes.

Being held to a home draw was not ideal preparation ahead of Boston United’s visit tomorrow night.

However, the Pilgrims will also be looking for a reaction as they were beaten 5-2 at Blyth Spartans.

Bower said, “I don’t think we deserved the win against Nuneaton because we had too many players just off their best, but we’ll take the positives from the unbeaten run being stretched to six games with no new injury concerns, and go again in another quick turnaround as we look to take three points from Boston.

“Their last result is irrelevant and I think that you’re better off playing a team that has just won 5-2 than lost 5-2 in this league.

"We’ll do our homework on them, and no doubt there will be some changes after their result at Blyth, but there might be changes to our side based on what we’ve seen in this game.”