BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) 3-3 CHESTER

GOALS, goals, goals it is why we love the beautiful game and there has been no shortage of them at both ends for Bradford (Park Avenue) this season.

Mark Bower's men have scored the third-highest amount (26) and conceded the second-most (30). If you want entertainment get yourself down to the Horsfall when you are allowed that is.

For a team who many predicted would struggle to find the back of the net, four goals against Gloucester City and York City, and three netted in draws with AFC Fylde and most recently Chester, proves otherwise.

Many sides would have folded last night coming into the break two goals down to a team flying high in second. But not Bower's Bradford. That never say die mentality has been running through the veins of this blended squad since day dot in 2020-21.

Even with a crazy penalty decision, their fight never waned, keeping intact their incredible unbeaten run over the league's elite.

From a distance, the call seemed correct but upon further review Jamie Morgan was clever to earn his side a chance to take the lead. Questions must go out to the assistant who should have intervened!

Danny Elliott duly dispatched after originally missing.

There was finally no sign of any snow, instead rain and wind dominated proceedings. The 3G surface saw the hosts quickest out of the blocks, Lewis Knight leading the charge.

Although it was not the forward's best game, missing a gilt-edge chance in the first half, his strike just after the hour mark portrayed a newfound persistent attitude.

Trickery, luck, and composure were all involved in his scrambled finish to draw level. An injury aggravated in the celebration, as Bower remarked, forced Avenue's star man to be replaced by new loan signing Luke Rawson.

The sight of Will Longbottom limping off with a hamstring injury was compounded by John Johnston's looped shot for the Seal's second after brilliant play had seen Dan Atkinson palm George Glendon's smash.

Bower insisted post-match 'no magic words were needed' at the break, whatever was said certainly did the trick.

On his 100th appearance for the club, captain fantastic Luca Havern popped up at the back stick to strike powerful past Louis Gray.

The midfield battle was always going to be interesting in this one. Bower selected the returning Jake Hibbs and Isaac Marriott to combat Declan Weeks and Glendon's on the ball qualities.

And it worked for the most part. The pair harassed and harried, leaving Regan Booty to dictate in the quarterback role.

Knight's leveller came from a left-hand side who wound back the clock. Old-timers Nicky Clee and Oli Johnson were a constant threat throughout the second period.

Each side exchanged chances in a thrilling ending which was bound to produce a winner.

The eventful Morgan believed he captured the glory with a chest and volley combination, Joe Cole would have been proud of.

Avenue were out on their feet, distraught as the Blues ran to Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson full of adulation. Hold the script though, this is not where the play ends.

After a superb block by substitute Adam Nowakowski, the home team raced up the other end and profited from a wonderful Clee low cross. Josh Askew the unlucky man to tap home and send Bower and his boys jumping for joy.

With talk of grants instead of loans potentially causing a suspension to the league, if that is the last match we witness for a while what a way to go out.

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

Avenue: Atkinson 6, Windass 6 (Nowakowski 83' 6), Ross 6, Havern © 7, Clee 8, Booty 7, Marriott 7, Hibbs 7, Longbottom 6 (Johnson 38' 7), Knight 7 (Rawson 63' 6), Dockerty 7. Subs not used: Hussain, Sanyang.

Goals: Havern 58, Knight 61, Own Goal 90+2

Chester: Gray 5, Morgan 7, Roberts 6, Grand 6, Askew 7, Johnston 7 (Waring 69' 6), Weeks 6, Glendon 6, Bauress 6 (Marsh-Hughes 85' 6), Dudley 5, Elliott 7 (Goodwin 6 85'). Subs not used: Clark, Burke.

Yellow cards: Askew, Glendon, Weeks.

Goals: Elliott 19, Johnston 42, Morgan 89.

Avenue man of the match: Clee