BRADFORD (Park Avenue) were given a major scare by last season's FA Cup heroes Marine last night, but they came out on top in a thriller in the end.

The two teams played out a gripping 3-3 draw in the FA Trophy second round, but National League North side Avenue held their nerve from the spot, winning the subsequent shootout 3-0.

In a game that had had to be rearranged given the Horsfall pitch was unplayable due to snow on Saturday, hosts Avenue started brightly, with Brad Dockerty forcing a good save from Marine keeper Bailey Passant.

But former Guiseley midfielder Mark Howarth should have buried a free header for the visitors, who were showing attacking threat of their own.

And the Northern Premier League side, who reached the third round of last season's FA Cup before losing to top-flight Tottenham Hotspur, took a surprise lead on 19 minutes when Neil Kengni slotted home calmly after being sent through one-on-one with Avenue stopper Johnny Saltmer.

Luke Rawson put Dylan Mottley-Henry's cross over as Avenue pushed for an equaliser, while Dockerty crashed a shot just over, but in between those chances, Kengni went close to his second for the ever-dangerous visitors.

Bradford then had to clear one off the line, while Passant denied them an equaliser moments later at the other end.

But Avenue got the break they were after just before half-time, when they won a penalty, and Dockerty held his nerve to equalise from 12 yards.

Marine almost hit back instantly, with an effort from Owen Watkinson coming back off the woodwork.

But instead it was Avenue took the lead in first-half stoppage time, when Oli Johnson turned the ball home at the far post.

Kengni forced a good save from Saltmer 10 minutes into the second half, and Niall Cummins fired the rebound over the bar.

Substitute Ryan Wignall did level things up though, forcing the ball over the line just before the hour mark.

Rawson was thwarted by Passant as Avenue tried to hit back quickly, while a deflected cross almost went in, but the Marine stopper produced yet another good save.

He was helpless to prevent Johnson heading home Bradford's third with 20 minutes to go though.

Marine dominated the closing stages, with veteran defender David Raven firing a shot inches wide.

And they grabbed a deserved equaliser at the death, when Ryan Stratulis' floated free-kick in wasn't dealt with, and Ben Hughes popped up at the back post to score and send the game to penalties.

But all the hard work from the visitors was soon undone, as they endured a disastrous shootout.

Stratulis stepped up first, but his effort was thwarted by Saltmer, before Rawson put Avenue 1-0 in front.

Saltmer saved again, this time from Howarth, with Johnson's successful spot-kick cementing Bradford's great start in the shootout.

Raven fired his penalty high over the crossbar, with Isaac Marriott converting Avenue's third to send them through to a mouthwatering third round clash at home to Halifax Town.

Guiseley are also through to the third round, after beating Ashton United 2-1 last night courtesy of Jordan Thewlis and Jamie Spencer.

They had Thewlis sent off with 20 minutes to go, but they held on to go through to a clash at Chesterfield.

Avenue and Guiseley will both play those third round ties on Saturday, December 18.