Hucknall Town 0, Bradford Park Avenue 5

Bradford Park Avenue shook off their recent shackles to enjoy a five-goal romp on the final day of the UniBond League regular season and it bagged them the Premier Division runners-up spot.

Avenue’s nap hand earned them a comfortable victory but they missed out on the title and one automatic promotion place by a single point.

The main prize went to neighbours Guiseley – but Avenue could yet join them in the Blue Square North next term if they win two play-off games.

Avenue chairman John Dean said: “Although it is a bit of a disappointment missing out on top place, by finishing second we get a trophy and the best possible chance of going through via the play-offs.

“We will have home advantage in tomorrow night’s semi-final against Kendal Town, who finished fifth.

“Should we be successful in that, we would also be at home in the play-off final on Saturday because we finished second.”

Avenue boss John Deacey made another big decision by leaving joint top scorer Chris Hall on the bench and bringing in recent signing Damian Reeves.

The manager’s gut instinct paid off as Reeves broke the deadlock after 17 minutes with the first of his two goals. He took a through ball well and shrugged off a defender before lashing in a shot.

The home keeper made an excellent save to prevent Aiden Savory netting a first-half header but Avenue doubled their lead within seconds of the restart.

A wayward clearance fell to Matty James and although his effort was blocked, the rebound ran to Savory and he slotted in.

From then on the contest was dead and buried but Avenue put the gloss on their victory with three goals in a four-minute spell just after the midway point of the second half.

Reeves bagged his second when he headed in a Rob O’Brien chip, before James converted Lee Elam’s cross with a shot on the turn from ten yards.

The final goal involved Savory and Elam but as the latter player shot it took a hefty deflection off Luke Smith and was chalked up as an own goal.