A PENALTY from Brad Dockerty (pictured) rescued a point for Bradford (Park Avenue) as they drew 1-1 with Spennymoor Town at the Horsfall Stadium.

A crowd of 553 witnessed the hosts go a goal down through Glen Taylor before Dockerty equalled matters in the second half.

Avenue were the quickest out of the blocks against their North East opponents who were aiming to end a run of four defeats on the bounce.

Both Dockerty and Adam Nowakowski blazed chances wide and over.

However, on the half hour mark, Spennymoor took the lead through captain Taylor's strike.

The visitors almost had a second before the break, hitting the post and placing the follow-up attempt off-target.

In the second half, missed efforts from Nowakowski and Jordan Windass served as a warning for Town.

Following a player going down in the box, Bradford were awarded a spot kick which Dockerty dispatched with ease.

The result builds on Avenue's brilliant 3-2 victory over AFC Telford United and leaves them 16th in the Vanarama National League North.

Manager Mark Bower said: "I am really really pleased with the performance. I thought we were really good against a really good team.

"We got on the front foot and caused them problems early doors. We should have had a couple of goals in the first 10 minutes.

"We were probably a bit guilty of trying to play forward too quickly and turned the ball over too much.

"At half time, I spoke to the lads and wanted them to be a bit more patient in the second half. We did that and managed to work our openings. There was only one team in it second half.

"They are always going to be a threat at the other end with the likes of Taylor. But I thought we controlled the game in large spells.

"It was a stonewall penalty and Brad topped off a brilliant performance. We tried all we could to win the game.

"A draw was the least we deserved and if any team was going to win that game it would have been us."