BRADFORD (Park Avenue) were left feeling “gutted” after two last-gasp Scarborough Athletic goals denied Mark Bower’s side a first win of the season in National League North.

In a game watched by former Scarborough boss Neil Warnock, visitors Avenue had established their dominance early on thanks to goals from Jamie Spencer and Andre Brooks, but a brace from Dom Tear granted the hosts a point.

Spencer was then sent off at full-time to compound a miserable end to the night for Avenue.

This trip to the seaside was a good opportunity for Bradford to nick their first three points of the season after a defeat on the opening day to King’s Lynn Town before a solid draw with Kettering Town at the weekend.

But newly-promoted Scarborough showed passion and a never-say-die spirit to deny the visitors at the death.

Avenue boss Mark Bower was left feeling frustrated by the result, saying: “We were so comfortable in the game and had done a really good job.

“We put ourselves in a great position being 2-0 up, and then nearly everything possible that could have been done to help them get back in the game was done and we were under pressure.

“We could help ourselves and do certain things better but if the referee is not seeing the foul on Shane (Maroodza) that leads to the corner for the goal, which is blatant, then it’s disappointing.

“You can see from the lads’ reaction when the game is going against you, the lads crowding around the referee because they’ve seen what’s happened.

“We’re so disappointed with it, we deserved to win the game.

“I’ll have to have a look at it because I can’t really recall much of what was going on, there was that much happening in the last five or 10 minutes of the game, but we need to keep our heads and see it through.

“A lot of the performance was good, particularly up front, but I’m just gutted.

“It’s gut-wrenching to have that taken and thrown away from us at the end.”

Avenue had the perfect start to the game, as an audacious chip from Spencer gave Bradford the lead in the opening minutes, a strike which Avenue’s social media described as “goal of the year”.

Harrison Hopper looked to double Bradford’s lead within a matter of minutes, but former Bradford City shot-stopper Joe Cracknell was alert to palm his effort over.

New signings Reece Staunton and Brooks also linked up, with the latter testing Cracknell, who was on hand to bail Scarborough out once again.

Early in the second half, Bradford’s pressure was rewarded thanks to Brooks.

The Sheffield United loanee got the ball out of his feet, before hammering home past Cracknell after Scarborough had been lacklustre with possession, doubling Avenue’s advantage.

Jacob Blyth, Hopper and Spencer went on to have more chances for Bradford, but Cracknell remained vigilant, before Avenue’s hopes were crushed in the final 10 minutes.

Following chances for former Guiseley players Will Thornton and Tear, a fightback was finally kickstarted, as a volley from inside the box was arched into the top corner from substitute Tear.

And with moments left of the contest, Tear completed a memorable comeback for the Seadogs, calmly tapping home at the back post to undo Bradford’s spell of dominance earlier in the match.

Avenue are next in action on Saturday, as Kidderminster Harriers travel to West Yorkshire looking for their first victory since the opening day.