ALTHOUGH Bradford Park Avenue manager Mark Bower was disappointed with the referee's decision to give leaders Harrogate Town an early penalty, which they missed, he felt that his team could have got more than a point from the 1-1 away draw on Tuesday in Vanarama National League North.

He said: “I thought for the first half-hour that they caused us a lot of problems and Ed (Hall) made some very good saves to keep us in it.

“Once we started to trust each other and pass the ball a bit more, we started to cause them problems.

"We could have won it with that chance we had late on.

"In terms of the penalty, I didn’t agree with the decision, but we seem to be on the wrong end of decisions a lot lately.”

A point from a very closely contested derby was enough to keep Town at the summit while Avenue moved back to within three points of the play-off places.

Avenue survived an early penalty when Joe Leesley struck the post from the spot after Andy Nelson had been fouled in the second minute, with the ball bouncing back for Hall to gather possession.

It proved to be a difficult first half for Avenue as they lost right back Ryan Toulson and centre half Luca Havern to injury.

The defenders were forced off either side of Jack Emmett scoring the opening goal, his low shot beating Hall following a good move by the hosts.

Town keeper James Belshaw made top-drawer saves to deny Oli Johnson and Mark Ross, who sent in a cannonball of a shot.

Belshaw was beaten in first-half stoppage time but the woodwork came to his rescue as Jamie Spencer’s shot then bounced to safety.

Avenue equalised early in the second half as Nicky Clee, who had replaced Javan Vidal, sent in a free-kick that Adam Boyes headed home.

Harrogate sub Jordan Thewlis had a glorious opportunity to put the home side back in front 11 minutes from time but he turned a cross from Emmett over the bar from close range.

There was still a chance for Avenue to win it as Boyes latched onto a Johnson through ball just into stoppage time, but Ryan Fallowfield made a goal-saving challenge to block the striker’s effort.