Boston United 2 Bradford Park Avenue 2

A STOPPAGE-TIME equaliser from substitute Ben McKenna proved to be hugely important as it keeps Bradford (Park Avenue) at the summit of the Vanarama National North going into the new year.

Avenue will start 2019 as the league leaders as the draw, thanks to McKenna’s dramatic late strike earned, means they remain ahead of nearest challengers Chorley, but now only by one point after the Magpies won 1-0 at Curzon Ashton.

It was a difficult game at the Jakemans Stadium and Boston United’s keeper George Willis made good saves to deny Oli Johnson, when the striker was through on goal, and Luca Havern who planted a firm header goalwards when Lewis Knight whipped in a free-kick.

The Pilgrims’ former Avenue centre back Ryan Qualter picked up a yellow card between those two good first half opportunities, for a foul on Jake Beesley.

The visitors eventually made the breakthrough in the 36th minute when Knight’s 35-yard free-kick sailed over everyone including Willis.

Boston’s best first half chances came after Avenue’s goal with Steve Drench making a good save from a Max Wright thunderbolt and Beesley blocking a Gavin Allott header on the goal-line following a corner in time added on.

The game turned in a lively five-minute spell early in the second half as the Pilgrims plundered two goals in quick time, the first from the penalty spot.

Shane Killock, who was back alongside Havern in the centre of Avenue’s defence for the first time this month after a calf injury, fouled Nicky Walker in the area. Home right-back Ben Davies spotted the ball and although Drench guessed right the ball went high into the net.

The Avenue keeper had no chance of saving Boston’s second as Max Wright’s shot beat him on his near post after taking a big deflection off Killock.

Both sides had chances in the next frantic spell but Avenue began to ramp up the pressure in the last quarter hour.

McKenna was only introduced in the 82nd minute, Alex Hurst making way for him, and he was soon in the action. He had a glimpse of goal in the penultimate minute but his shot flew just wide of Willis’ post.

Into the fourth of a minimum of five minutes of stoppage time, the lively winger burst through and drilled a shot past Willis from just outside the area to spark scenes of delirium in the Avenue ranks and the away contingent in the vastly partisan 1,000 plus crowd.

Avenue’s lead was three points and, had they lost Chorley, would have overtaken them on goal difference. The Magpies may still be one point behind but they have a game in hand.