THERE was late agony for Bradford (Park Avenue) in the FA Trophy last night, as they lost 5-3 on penalties at home to big rivals FC Halifax Town following a dramatic 3-3 draw.

Brad Dockerty’s early effort got Bradford off to a perfect start, though Jack Vale soon pulled the Shaymen level.

Isaac Marriott’s goal just before half-time gave Avenue the lead again, before Luke Summerfield equalised on the hour mark.

Marriott looked to have given Bradford a famous victory when he got their third as the game entered second-half stoppage time.

But a 94th-minute leveller from Thomas Bradbury sent the game to spot-kicks, and when young loanee Francis Maguire missed Avenue’s fourth penalty, that allowed Billy Waters to step up and win it for Halifax.

Bradford were underdogs going into the clash, sitting four points off the bottom of the National League North, with Halifax second in the division above.

But the hosts stunned their high-flying visitors when great work down the left from Dockerty led to him firing home in only the fourth minute.

Vale crashed the ball over the bar almost immediately afterwards, but he made no mistake on 14 minutes, when he turned home the rebound after George Sykes-Kenworthy had saved Elliot Newby’s initial header.

Halifax started to dominate once experienced Avenue midfielder Simon Richman limped off, but the Shaymen failed to create many clearcut chances.

And they went behind when ex-Bradford City winger Dylan Mottley-Henry set up Marriott to drill the ball into the net.

Summerfield’s leveller on the hour mark was a stunner. He pounced on a weak Avenue clearance and hammered the ball home from 30 yards out.

Jack Senior’s turn and shot for Halifax was well saved by Sykes-Kenworthy, before the hosts created a couple of chances.

Dockerty skied over a good opportunity before Mottley-Henry was denied from 25 yards out by a stunning Sam Johnson save.

Avenue were getting on top, with Sam Johnson denying Maguire before the rebound was blocked by Niall Maher.

The hosts thought they were through when Marriott slammed in his second, but Bradbury’s header from a Martin Woods free-kick in the dying seconds sent the game to penalties.

Oli Johnson, Jordan Windass and Marriott netted Avenue’s first three spot-kicks, before Maguire was denied by Sam Johnson with their fourth.

Halifax were perfect with all five, meaning they go through to visit Alfreton Town in the fourth round on January 15.

Guiseley have been drawn at Stourbridge in round four, and they were also in action last night, moving above Avenue in the National League North table with a crucial 1-0 win at rock-bottom AFC Telford United.

Josh Stones grabbed the only goal with five minutes to go.

Steeton celebrated Roy Mason’s 500th game as boss with a 2-1 win in the West Riding County Cup at Harrogate Railway.

A hot-tempered encounter, which saw an off-the-ball red card for Steeton striker Andy Briggs, was won by goals from Briggs and Jahro Parchment.

The victory means a visit to Brighouse Town in the last-eight. Campion will host Farsley Celtic in the quarter-finals following the latter's 3-1 win against Garforth Town last night.   

Meanwhile, Eccleshill United closed the gap on NCEL Premier Division leaders Grimsby Borough to just two points with a 4-0 home win over Handsworth.

Aiden Day netted twice, with Sumaili Cissa and Luke Aldrich also on target.