Bradford PArk Avenue 2 Solihull Borough 0

Avenue will be in today's draw for the FA Trophy first round thanks to a double from Simon Parke on Neil Redfearn's special day at Horsfall Stadium.

The day began with a double presentation to the much-travelled veteran midfielder by the UniBond League and Bradford Park Avenue.

They wanted to mark the 1,000th appearance in senior football by the former Barnsley, Bradford City and Charlton midfielder.

It ended with Sky Sports News interviewing the former Premiership player but on this occasion it was Parke who was the star.

His goals won the game but it was a team performance that provided the ammunition.

Even though Avenue won and Redfearn had his deserved plaudits, there was a gloomy atmosphere hanging around Horsfall.

That was because it should have been a much more emphatic victory over a poor Solihull Borough side.

The visitors were bereft of ideas when they had possession and clumsy in defence but Avenue failed to capitalise.

Bradford boss Phil Sharpe was despondent about that, saying, "We didn't play for almost an hour of the game.

"We got off to a great start but then it all went flat, we dropped down the gears and just went through the motions.

"Even though we won, we sat down at the end and talked that through.

"I have never felt so emotionless after a win - it just happened. I'm sure the players will think it was job done but they didn't feel the frustration Clive (assistant Freeman) and myself felt from the sidelines.

"They won't have felt the same disappointment that the supporters did after witnessing a good opening and then being short-changed. It could and should have been so much more convincing."

A bright start from both sides lulled everyone into a false sense of expectation.

Instead of a feisty cup tie, it was a subdued plod through an afternoon of inevitability.

It would have been kinder for the referee to have called a halt to proceedings at half-time because the second 45 minutes was a waste.

Avenue had won the game and Solihull did not seem interested in altering the dynamics.

The home side took the lead in the 12th minute after a very promising opening to the game. Fittingly, the move stemmed from man of the moment Redfearn as he intercepted a chip forward.

He volleyed it intelligently down the touchline to launch a counter attack.

Mark Wilson controlled the ball and sent it to the other flank where Liam Flynn instantly gathered before lofting a cross to the far post.

Jamie Longley knocked the ball down and Parke side-footed in from point-blank range.

The only outlet for the visitors from the Midlands was skipper Jamie Petty and his excellent dead-ball deliveries.

One corner and two free-kicks from Petty saw Borough actually get the ball into Avenue's area but the final touch was lacking.

Avenue wrapped up the game just before the interval when Wilson's drilled through ball found Longley. Solihull keeper Tony Breeden did well to stop his firm effort but Parke, as all good strikers do, followed up and slotted in the rebound.