Bradford Park Avenue marched through to the third round of the FA Trophy with a creditable performance as they finally put paid to Whitby Town's resistance in last night's replay.

Horsfall Stadium witnessed the first clean sheet of the season by the home side and that was the basis of the fine victory that ensured Avenue's run in the most prestigious non-league knockout competition will reach into the new year.

The win earned them a tie at Hucknall Town on January 10, another crack at UniBond Premier Division opponents and with it a chance to progress further.

"It was a very good result for the club and a deserved one - I'm really pleased for the players," said Avenue manager Trevor Storton.

"It was a good game, we expected that after Saturday's 1-1 draw at their place, but we took everything they could throw at us without too much trouble. It needed a good goal to win it and Simon Collins has come up with a great effort.

"If we had got our passing right in the last third of the pitch it would have been a bigger margin but we are through.

"It was tough at times on a tacky pitch after the wet weather but we were the better side overall.

"I hope this will kick-start our season. It will help with the confidence for sure but we need a full squad to fulfil our potential. We are looking forward to going to Hucknall. We will be underdogs but only because of league positions, not because of ability."

With some key players out last night the Avenue bench had a fresh-faced look about it. The starting line-up was also affected and Academy keeper James Alderson stood tall between the sticks.

The youngster was assisted in the 34th minute when centre back James Stansfield hooked a shot from Anthony Armstrong off the line for a corner.

That apart, Alderson dealt with the odd shot or difficult cross comfortably.

Meanwhile, Avenue were testing the visitors. Collins saw a header flash just wide, Andy Hayward suffered a knee injury while getting in a drive from a tight angle and early second-half attacks had Whitby pegged back.

From a swift counter the visitors could have broken the deadlock, Mark Swales shooting tamely wide when well placed, but it was a costly miss as Avenue netted the winner five minutes later.

A raking diagonal cross from Craig Smith curled into the Whitby area and Collins soared to get over the ball and direct a header goalwards.

Visiting keeper David Campbell stretched but was floundering as the ball zipped under the bar It was just the confidence-boost Avenue needed.