Bradford Park Avenue were the most high-ranking of the many local semi-professional sides who were denied action at the weekend because of the weather - and it was not for the most obvious reason.

Avenue's trip to face Skelmersdale United in UniBond Division One was called off on Friday.

Their journey could not be undertaken as the Lancashire outfit's floodlights had been damaged by the gales during the week, not due to the severe wet weather that caused postponements throughout the country.

Despite the inactivity, it was not a bad weekend for Bradford's second club as they held on to their fifth place in the table. That leaves them still in a play-off position but with another game in hand now.

Leaders Buxton, managed by former Bantams boss Nicky Law, won and second-placed Eastwood Town also registered a maximum but there was a mixed bag for the rest of the promotion hopefuls.

Cammell Laird and Stocksbridge PS, who Avenue beat 2-1 the previous week, were both held to draws. That left Avenue fifth in the table, with one automatic promotion spot and the next four slugging it out in the play-offs.

The two clubs who may have taken advantage of Avenue not being able to pick up any points were Rossendale United and Colwyn Bay but they slipped up, with both being beaten.

Avenue's next match is the trip to Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday and they will then be in knockout action the following Tuesday, when they make the short journey to Pontefract Collieries in the West Riding County Cup.

The Northern Counties East Division One club profited from a mistake by Conference outfit Halifax Town. The Shaymen had brushed Ponte aside 14-2 in the previous round but they fielded an ineligible player.

There are mixed feelings at Horsfall Stadium as, while most accept that a trip to Ponte gives them the better chance of progressing to the semi-finals, there is genuine disappointment that they have missed out on a chance to play at The Shay.

  • Avenue's under-19s have a local derby tonight at home to Silsden in the Alliance League, with a 7.45 kick-off at the Horsfall Stadium.

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here