Vanarama National League North: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Bradford Park Avenue 3

BRADFORD Park Avenue moved back into the top ten in Vanarama National League North with a convincing win at Gainsborough Trinity last night as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Mark Bower had big calls to make after keeper Steve Drench and centre back Luca Havern picked up injuries in Saturday’s goalless draw at Stockport County, but he drafted in former skipper James Knowles and stopper Ed Hall.

Hall has several games under his belt lower down the non-league ladder but not many starts in the sixth tier.

However, his clean sheet justified Bower’s confidence and will have boosted the back-up keeper as he had to pull off some fine saves to earn it.

Avenue got off to a good start as they took the game to their hosts in the early stages and broke the deadlock just before the quarter-hour, Oli Johnson giving Trinity keeper Henrich Ravas no chance with a well-struck volley to convert Javan Vidal’s cross.

There was more injury agony for Avenue, however, as left back Matt Hill pulled up midway through the first half and had to make way, Jamie Spencer replacing him.

But the visitors doubled their lead just before the half-hour as Ryan Toulson whipped in a cross and Adam Boyes powered in a header from just inside the area.

Hall was soon at the centre of the action as he did exceptionally well to fingertip an Ashley Worsfold header over which came after a great cross from the Holy Blues’ former Avenueite Craig King.

In the second half, Knowles had to clear off the line as King looked set to score against his former club but the home side were soon reduced to ten men.

Trinity skipper Nathan Jarman picked up two yellow cards inside six minutes - both for verbal abuse - and he was duly red carded.

The icing was put on the cake for Avenue when Wayne Brooksby scored their third, taking a through ball from Toulson before cutting in and tucking the ball under Ravas.