BRADFORD (Park Avenue) remain rooted to the foot of the Vanarama National North after second-placed York City kept the pressure on at the top end of the table as they eased to a 2-0 win at the Horsfall Stadium.

There was little to choose between the sides but the Minstermen took two of their few chances and wanted the ball more. Park Avenue should feel flattered as York boss Steve Watson altered his formation to match the home side’s.

And it worked for them as their two deep lying midfielders continually broke up Avenue’s attacks - and the three between them and loan striker Jordan Burrows were first to every second ball.

Avenue manager Mark Bower said: “We knew what to expect today and they made it difficult for us and worked hard, they are a very good side and it was clear to see why they are where they are.

“They closed our players down and adapted well to the conditions, probably better than our players did. They had a good start in both halves which helped them get settled and the second goal early in the second half killed us off really.”

A foul by Avenue right back Ryan Toulson looked innocuous enough but it led to York breaking the deadlock. The Minstermen’s left back David Ferguson whipped it in and, although Avenue keeper Tom Nicholson was there to block Kieran Green’s attempted header, the City man reacted quickly to lift the rebound over the keeper from very close range.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 51st minute and again it stemmed from one of their full backs. York right back Kallum Griffiths seemed to have lost possession as he approached Avenue’s area but his tenacity won the ball back and his cross picked out the unmarked Burrows who glanced home a header.

Avenue could have reduced the two goal deficit two minutes later but, as the lively Alex Hurst sent in low cross to the far post, striker Tom Clare appeared to give up on it when it just needed a toe on it to prod it over the line.

Bower said: “We’ve been beaten in our last two games and not scored in either of them but we haven’t been too far off.

“We just need to get a win or a draw from somewhere, anywhere, just something going our way. We’ve got another tough game on Saturday against Farsley Celtic who have been going well but they were beaten at Guiseley today so they will be keen to bounce back.

“All of our players are injury free, apart from Adam Nowakowski who was injured in the Spennymoor game. He could be back for the New Year’s Day game but more likely the Saturday after.

“We’ve got to see how the players are after this game and be ready to go again in 48 hours at Farsley. It’s a derby game, there are a lot of familiar faces over there and it will be one of those that could go either way, we’ve just got to concentrate on our job.”