There will be no double celebration for Bradford’s second club this season after Avenue lost in the final of the West Riding County Cup at Valley Parade in front of a midweek crowd of 1,350.

It was a local affair in the city’s biggest sporting arena as Avenue went head to head with Guiseley, both clubs centred within a five-mile radius of the area’s second city. The Leeds-based clubs were all knocked out in the earlier rounds.

Avenue now have to concentrate on ensuring their season still has a single celebration. They have three Evo-Stik League games left to claim one of the four Premier Division play-off places. One win will secure that position and two will almost certainly guarantee a home tie.

John Deacey had some of his regular starters missing for Wednesday night’s showpiece but he was as upbeat as ever in his pre-match interview.

The Avenue boss said: “We have half a team missing and we are up against the holders – how hard can it be? But who knows? We are capable of doing it; we are capable of doing anything.”

All of Deacey’s wide-eyed optimism, infectious enthusiasm and belief in his squad will be needed over the next week and, hopefully, beyond into the play-offs.

Nathan Hotte, Nicky Boshell, James Riley and Ross Daly all missed out on the cup final squad due to injury. Alex Davidson was also carrying a knock but was included as an unused substitute.

Others on the bench were Matt Dempsey, Michael Duckworth and assistant manager Mark Hume, yet even that left them one short of the allowed five subs.

Boshell’s non-appearance was a disappointment as it prevented a family double. Danny Boshell was in the Guiseley side and, while the Bradford brothers have played against each other in the competition before – Nicky turned out for Brighouse Town against the Lions last season – they have never played against each other at Valley Parade.