Bradford Park Avenue leapt two places up to third in the Evo-Stik Premier Division with a 3-1 victory at home to struggling Buxton tonight.

Avenue made the points safe with two goals in as many minutes early in the second half before a late penalty for the visitors failed to take the gloss off a crucial win.

However, Buxton started well and there was disquiet among the home supporters until the Horsfall side opened the scoring just after the half-hour.

It was an attack against the run of play but Richard Marshall netted a low drive after Alex Davidson had flicked the ball on.

There was more nail-biting for the home crowd as the visitors started the second half as well as they had the first. But the double salvo changed that.

A free-kick from new signing Mark Hudson, a former Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United midfielder, was half-cleared to Nathan Hotte, who rifled the ball into the top corner.

Two minutes later, James Knowles sent in an angled cross from deep and James Riley converted it with a superb header.

Buxton pulled one back in the 75th minute after Knowles fouled an attacker in the area and substitute Mark Reid fired in from the spot.

But it was only a consolation as Avenue stepped up their promotion bid. Substitute Tom Greaves almost increased the lead but was denied by a good save from keeper Scott Hartley.

Guiseley will be looking to move back up the Blue Square Bet North table tomorrow night following their surprise defeat at the weekend.

The Lions slipped to fourth after a 2-1 loss and could have dropped further but fifth-placed Gainsborough Trinity lost 2-1 at Worcester tonight.

Even a win against Solihull Moors at Nethermoor tomorrow will not guarantee Guiseley move up as third-placed FC Halifax Town are hosting lower mid-table outfit Bishop Stortford. The Lions need to win and hope the Shaymen don’t in order to leapfrog their nearest neighbours in the division.

In the Baris NCEL Premier Division both Liversedge and Brighouse Town will be back in action after a free weekend. Liversedge are at home to Barton Town Old Boys while Town face the long journey to Nottinghamshire to take on Long Eaton United.

Silsden are also on the road as they journey to the west coast to take on Blackpool based Squires Gate.