Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 Stockport County 1

ADAM Nowakowski’s close range finish with less than two minutes left saw Park Avenue claim a deserved point in dramatic fashion from an incident-filled clash with Stockport County.

The Hatters had finally broken the deadlock in a game of few chances ten minutes earlier. Matty Warburton gave County the lead with a superb strike from distance that gave home keeper Steve Drench no chance as it curled and dipped into the top corner.

That was in the 78th minute and sparked a mini-pitch invasion that was quickly dealt with by the stewards.

But Bradford had the last laugh as left back Nicky Clee and mercurial winger Ben McKenna combined well in another slick move that culminated with a low cross which substitute Nowakowski lashed in on the volley.

Avenue manager Mark Bower said: “I thought that it was a game between two poor sides in the first half and we were just a bit worse than they were.

“Both sides were tired and you could see that in the players – it was our fifth game in 15 days and this league does that to you as the games come thick and fast at the start of the season.

“But we showed a lot of character and determination and, as Stockport looked to see the game out, we created a few chances and got a deserved equaliser. I think the least we deserved was a point.

“That gives us ten points from five games and we’ll take that given the teams we’ve played and the travelling we’ve had to do. It’s been a difficult start to the season but I think ten points is a fair reflection and shows just how well we’ve played.”

The draw sees Bradford in fifth place in the early table with an identical record as fourth-placed Hereford, their opponents next Saturday, and still two points better off than County.

There was an early exit for former Guiseley forward Frank Mulhern, who was on loan at Avenue towards the end of last season, as the County player picked up a ninth-minute injury which forced him off.

Midway through the first half the visitors’ Sam Walker struck a shot that dipped and swerved and, as Drench flapped at it, the ball came back off the post and was cleared.

Minutes before the interval, Avenue skipper Shane Killock was judged to have fouled forward Jake Kirby and the referee pointed to the spot.

Warburton placed the resulting penalty towards the bottom corner but Drench had waited and dived well to pull off an excellent save.

There was still a further opening for the Hatters as a free-kick two minutes into stoppage time was met by Nyal Bell, who was on for Mulhern, but he could only glance the ball wide.

Stockport started the second half well and Conor Dimaio should have put them ahead in the 55th minute, but Avenue were beginning to wrestle control and were the better side when County broke for Warburton’s goal.

However, Bower’s men were undaunted and forced chances before Nowakowski slotted home.