Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 Boston United 0

MARK Bower was full of praise for his Avenue players after they secured their second win of the Bank Holiday weekend.

An Oli Johnson penalty after 15 minutes was enough to see off ambitious Boston at a windy Horsfall Stadium.

It sealed Avenue's fifth win of the season and they are now second in the Vanarama National League North table – five points behind leaders Chorley who have a 100 per cent record.

Bower said: "I am delighted with six points from the two games.

"Our work rate and the way we defended our box was what pleased me.

"That's 16 points from seven games and we are already a third of the way to our first target which is to get the 48 points needed to stay in the division."

Bower admitted that some of the defending was last-ditch, rather than controlled as it was at Hereford on Saturday in the 2-1 win, but it was effective.

Boston are a talented side with an experienced line-up and Bower's decision to name an unchanged side paid off.

They had to contend with a strong wind that made it difficult to control the ball, but they stuck to their task.

The only goal came when midfieldman Conor Branson was brought down inside the area by Ryan Coulter. Johnson made no mistake from the spot.

Both sides rattled the woodwork and Avenue keeper Steve Drench made one stunning save from Spencer Harris which helped preserve a well-deserved win.