Park Avenue 1, Radcliffe Borough 1: A superb strike from Andy Hayward should have been enough for Bradford Park Avenue to earn their first home win of the UniBond Premier Division campaign against an uninventive Radcliffe Borough.

However, poor marking at a needlessly conceded 84th-minute throw-in allowed the visitors to steal a point and grind out a draw.

Following two excellent away victories for Avenue it left manager Trevor Storton wondering if it was sensible asking semi-professionals to undertake such a punishing schedule.

"It was definitely two points dropped because Radcliffe were not a good side and were there for the taking," said the Bradford boss.

"It makes you think, is two games in three days too much for part time players who train only twice a week and have to be ready for work the day after? For me both sides were well below their best.

"If this game had been on a Saturday you would have seen a better spectacle. Everyone looked drained out there, not a great game for the purist and not one to expect the fans to enjoy.

"I thought we should have won it and but for a lapse in concentration we would have.

"That is something else that comes from tiredness. They didn't switch off, they just took too long to regroup after giving a silly ball away in midfield. We had chances to clear it, even when it came off the bar, then the shot has been deflected in."

The first half was quite even with both sides off the pace. Borough's danger-man Jody Banim curled a free-kick from the edge of the area well over the target, while Avenue's best opportunity saw three half-chances in the same move charged down and Hayward robbed as he drew back his shooting foot.

Avenue also lost one of their most effective men when Carl Serrant limped off eight minutes before the interval.

The home side forced two early corners at the start of the second half and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.

Jason Maxwell was second favourite to reach a through ball but won possession. He laid it back for Craig Smith who curled a cross to the far side of the area. Just when it seemed to be running safe Hayward popped up to net a fierce volley from a tight angle.

Steve Oleksewycz, Hayward and Simon Collins all went close to doubling Avenue's lead and Borough defender Richard Battersby was relived to see his glancing header from a Smith free kick fly wide of his own goal.

Six minutes from time Borough fashioned their winner when the marking at the throw-in was lax and Banim got free on the edge of the area. His looping effort came back off the top of the bar but Simon Carden's angled side foot shot hit Andy Quinn on its way into Matt Boswell's net.