MARK Bower was pleased with his side's response to earn a point against Darlington after a 'sloppy' opening had left Bradford (Park Avenue) up against it.

Avenue recovered from conceding twice in the first 18 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw at Horsfall Stadium last night.

The boss was left with mixed feelings after Bradford had become the first side to beat leaders Chorley at the weekend.

He said: "From 15 to 20 minutes in, it was definitely a point gained but overall you are looking to win every game, especially home games on the back of the result we got on Saturday.

"Darlington are a good side on a good little run themselves and a point was a fair result overall.

"We were so sloppy in the first 15 to 20 minutes. We were off the pace, they were winning most first balls and getting on every second ball and we were deservedly 2-0 down.

"We expected a response after that and we got it. The goal came at a good time from OJ (Oli Johnson) and that sparked us into life a bit more and we played some decent stuff in the first half."

Two goals from Jordan Nicholson left Avenue with a mountain to climb but they responded as Johnson and sub Nicky Clee found the target to make it 2-2 before the break.

Steve Drench then saved a penalty for the hosts in an action-packed first half.

The point leaves Avenue third in National League North - two points behind Kidderminster, who won 4-0 at Leamington last night while Chorley suffered another defeat, going down 3-0 at Stockport.