BRADFORD (Park Avenue) lost their third National League North game in a row on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to Gloucester City.

Avenue dominated the first 10 minutes, with veteran striker Oli Johnson in the thick of the action.

But Gloucester clawed their way back into the game as the first half wore on, with the game becoming fairly even.

Avenue keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy made a great save after 34 minutes, with the hosts going close in the subsequent counter-attack, but he was powerless to prevent Gloucester taking the lead moments later through Lucas Tomlinson.

The hosts had to be at their best to prevent the rampant visitors from adding to their lead before the break, clearing several dangerous attacks.

But the interval came at the right time, and just six minutes into the second half, Avenue equalised when Simon Richman latched on to Lewis Knight's pass and fired the ball into the net.

Johnson went close on a couple of occasions after Richman's leveller, with Knight also firing a shot inches wide, as Avenue desperately tried to edge in front.

But despite Gloucester offering very little after the break, other than forcing Mark Ross into a superb clearance, they retook the lead with 11 minutes to go courtesy of Matt McClure.

That seemed to floor Avenue, but they gave it one last push in injury-time, with Knight and Brad Dockerty close to setting up great chances and loanee Gloucester keeper Archie Matthews making a superb save at the last to ensure three points for his new club on debut.

With bottom side Farsley Celtic winning 2-1 at Curzon Ashton, Avenue are now just eight points clear of the relegation zone, with 11 games to go.