Battle between top two ends level as O’Brien forces own goal (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Battle between top two ends level as O’Brien forces own goal

1:32pm Sunday 7th March 2010 in

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Retford United 1, Bradford Park Avenue 1

The UniBond League Premier Division top two battled out a keen draw but Avenue saw their lead at the summit cut to four points.

That happened because as Retford held Avenue, it gave Boston United the chance to sneak into second place.

The best news for the Bradford club is that they still have a game in hand on both their nearest challengers in the race for promotion.

Retford led the division for a spell earlier in the season before Avenue’s exceptional run put them in pole position.

United underlined their credentials with a bright start and broke the deadlock very early.

Striker Neil Harvey always provides a threat and when he scored with his first chance in the seventh minute, it gave Retford a grip on the game.

Avenue got into their stride and soon replied. A shot from midfielder Rob O’Brien midway through the first half took a slight deflection on its way into the net. The initial effort was on target but it went down as an own goal after clipping Michael Simpkins.

The home side enjoyed a lively start to the second half as well but Avenue also withstood that. The visitors also finished strongly and piled pressure on the Retford defence in the last 20 minutes.

Avenue strikers Chris Hall and Aiden Savory were both denied by saves from the legs of the home keeper.

Other chances were also created by the visitors but they failed to get the one that would have given them all three points.

Avenue boss John Deacey was philosophical and said: “I would have settled for that before the game and we went into it with a patched-up side, so fair play.

“But having said that, I’m very disappointed that we didn’t win it because we dominated the last 20 minutes. We had three one-on-one opportunities and forced other chances but we missed them.

“We had Lee Elam making his debut, centre backs Amjad Iqbal and Mark Hume playing with injuries and skipper Simon Baldry out through suspension.

“I won’t knock Chris or Aiden for missing late chances because they have done well to get in those positions and it is all about percentages.

“They are our top scorers so they have put a lot away over the season and more will come.

“All in all, it was a good point from a tough away game. We missed Simon because of his experience and his form this season. I’ve been very impressed with him.”