MARK Bower insists Bradford (Park Avenue) did enough to claim a point against Boston United at the Horsfall Stadium.

Will Longbottom’s second half header was immediately cancelled out by Jordan Thewlis’ photocopy finish at the other end.

The Bradford boss believes his team did merit the draw but rode their luck at times.

“They (Boston) were strong, physical and good in all departments,” said Bower.

“We played into a strong wind first half and knew we were going to be up against it. I thought we restricted them too very little.

“We just didn’t have that turnover and little bit of quality to get in behind them and catch them on the counter. I was happy with 0-0 at half time.

“Second half we didn’t get on the front foot as much as I would have liked and didn’t have any spell of sustained pressure.

“But once we strung a few passes together in their half we got into some good areas and had a couple of really good chances.

“We talked about corners at half time. We worked on a few but with that wind just stick it under the crossbar and it worked.

“It was just a shame we couldn’t hold on for longer. That few minutes after you score in a game like that is really important because the longer you see it out, the more chance you have got of getting another with a counter attack which we are very strong at.

“If we had won that game it would have been harsh on them but for the lads’ efforts, we definitely warranted a point.”

The result means Avenue proudly remain undefeated when taking on the perceived ‘top four’ of the Vanarama National League North.

“We have done well against those teams towards the top,” added Bower. “That is now Gloucester, Boston, Fylde and York which we have got results against.

“We have got quality in the team. I do not think we showed it as much last night as we did in the York game. But we can be resolute.

“We had to defend for large spells in the game and I thought we did well. That triangle (Dan Atkinson, Luca Havern and Mark Ross) is a real important part of that.”

It is the leader of that trio which impressed Bower the most.

“Driving to the game, Luca (Havern) was not expected to be involved.

“But we lost Luke Lyons who is self-isolating, we found that out at 5:45pm. Luca threw his hand up and stepped in.

“He was absolutely magnificent against one of the best teams in the league.

“That is the type of characters we have in that dressing room and that is why he wears that captain’s armband.”