Bradford (Park Avenue) cannot stop conceding goals, and that came back to haunt them in dramatic fashion yesterday afternoon.

They were hosting mid-table Lancaster City in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and having gone 2-0 up just after half-time, Avenue were looking set to snap their seven-game losing streak.

But the visitors halved the deficit instantly to set nerves jangling among the home side, before Danny Whitaker’s men conceded a late penalty and a goal in second-half stoppage time to lose 3-2.

After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Avenue now sit nine points from safety, with relegation looking increasingly certain.

Harrison Hopper was a welcome returnee for the hosts after a lengthy spell out injured, and the young midfielder made an impact early on, firing over the bar in response to a couple of half-chances for Lancaster.

The away side had some half-hearted shouts for a penalty on 18 minutes when the ball pinballed around the Avenue box, but it was Whitaker’s men who were gifted the chance to go in from 12 yards moments later.

Lucas Odunston was brought down in the box, with the prolific Jordan Preston converting from the spot.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jordan Preston has been in good goalscoring form for Avenue of late, but it is their defending which is proving a real problem at present.Jordan Preston has been in good goalscoring form for Avenue of late, but it is their defending which is proving a real problem at present. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Avenue were buoyed by going in front, with Hopper forcing a save out of Andre Mendes midway through the first half.

Nic Evangelinos was a threat for the away side in attack though, and home keeper Tom Scott had to be at his best to keep out the Lancaster man from close range 26 minutes in.

It was a relatively quiet end to the half, with the only moments of note being bookings for Avenue duo Justin Iwobi and Odunston.

On loan from FC Halifax Town, Iwobi made amends for his yellow card at the start of the second half, netting with a fine finish to score his first goal for Avenue.

Crucially, Lancaster responded quickly, as Evangelinos flicked home Sam Bailey’s corner at the near post.

City went on the attack thereafter, with Evangelinos having a penalty shout turned down on the hour mark after taking a tumble in the box.

Yet Avenue came agonisingly close to 3-1, with Iwobi’s shot cleared off the line brilliantly by Charlie Barnes, with the home side protesting that the ball had gone in.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Justin Iwobi (right) had his best game in an Avenue shirt, but his shot being cleared off the line was a real turning point.Justin Iwobi (right) had his best game in an Avenue shirt, but his shot being cleared off the line was a real turning point. (Image: John Rhodes.)

The referee and linesman were unmoved however, and Avenue almost conceded seconds later, only for Evangelinos to flash a shot just past the post.

But Lancaster did equalise with 11 minutes to go, with home keeper Scott booked after clattering into Dom Lawson in the box.

Bailey made no mistake from the spot to level things up, but Lancaster’s afternoon got even better in the dying moments.

Lawson snatched a last-gasp winner when he flicked the ball home at the back post, leaving Avenue crestfallen.

Avenue will do well to avoid a ninth successive league defeat in their next game, which is at second-placed Warrington Rylands this coming Saturday.