Play-off place is Avenue's incentive tomorrow (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Play-off place is Avenue's incentive tomorrow

3:53pm Sunday 19th February 2012 in Headlines By Ian Whiting

Bradford Park Avenue 3, Mickleover Sports 1

Bradford Park Avenue will be looking to break back into the Evo-Stik League Premier Division play-off zone tomorrow night after cruising to a win against lowly Mickleover yesterday thanks to a brace from debutant Alex Davidson.

Mickleover put up a good fight in the first half but were brushed aside after the break.

The win took Bradford to within two points of the top five and they will leap back into the promotion pack if they can repeat that result at home against Whitby Town tomorrow.

Bradford boss Deacey was delighted with the win but insisted there is still work to be done.

“It was a marvellous second-half performance and a win we deserved but we have to build on that now,” he said.

“I thought the first half wasn’t bad but we lacked that edge. It was a great start for Alex and he could have had four - in fact he should have had a hat-trick because he missed a sitter later.

"He did really well in what was a good performance all round. The squad will be the same tomorrow, with the addition of Matt Dempsey.”

Avenue started well and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Nathan Hotte had forced a corner which was curled to the far post by Jordan Deacey and headed home by James Knowles.

The visitors made it difficult for Avenue and tried to nullify their trademark passing game with the experienced old heads they have in the team.

They went into the break on level terms after Martin Smythe fired in a half-volley following a free-kick into the area.

The second half belonged to Avenue, and the lively Davidson in particular.

He opened his account just five minutes after the interval with a well-struck dipping shot after racing down the left flank before cutting inside.

Davidson wrapped the points up in the 75th minute when he rifled another shot in - this time from just inside the area.

He should have put the cherry on the top seven minutes from time but blazed wide when it seemed easier to score.

Avenue will be wary tomorrow as Whitby may be a place lower than Mickleover, despite their defeat at Horsfall, but they will be battling for survival.

Tomorrow's visitors are currently five points from safety but have two games in hand on the two clubs immediately above them.

Dempsey is a former Eccleshill United youth product who went on to captain Sheffield United’s reserve team before being released by the club.

He returned to Eccleshill but has spent this season at Garforth Town.