A late penalty save to deny Bradford Park Avenue's Dean Calcutt saw West Riding County Amateur side Field lose respectably 2-1 in Saturday's pre-season fixture with the UniBond League side.

The result means Avenue go into tonight's friendly with Halifax Town at Horsfall Stadium (7pm) after another victory but manager Trevor Storton was less than impressed with his squad.

"It seemed to me as though some of the players were just going through the motions a little," he said. "I am glad Field were able to step in at the last minute to give us a game but it was nothing more than a training session really.

"We are building up a good relationship between the clubs and I hope the ties will become a bit closer. Their young keeper did very well against us and I have asked if we can include him in our squad tonight as a trialist.

"Both clubs are keen to see things developing along those lines and I am sure if they do we will all get something out of it.

"They gave us a hard workout in the game. I can't be too hard on our lads because nobody wanted to get injured for tonight, which will be our last game before the real stuff starts next Saturday."

Storton had striker Jason Maxwell and centre back Paul Marquis back from holiday but he had to make a late change to the team sheet after a call from Mark Hancock who had not been informed of the change of fixture and had gone to Goole instead.

It was a mistake from Marquis which saw the home side take a tenth-minute lead from the spot. After a foul by the centre back Field's ex-Avenue and Thackley striker Chris Arum netted a penalty.

Five minutes before half-time Avenue drew level with a goal made by substitute Phil Denney. His cross into the area invited Stephen Ball to ram in the equaliser from close range.

Storton wanted to give all his available players a run-out and switched him for Dave Donaldson.

Midway through the second period Avenue grabbed the winner when a corner from Martin James was headed back into the goal-mouth and Calcutt forced it home.

Ten minutes from time Ball was brought down in the area but Calcutt's spot kick was well-saved by home keeper Brown.

Meanwhile, Storton has confirmed that UniBond Premier Division club Frickley Athletic have refused defender Mick Thompson a transfer to Park Avenue, though the deal may still go through.

A fee had been agreed between the clubs and Thompson, who has featured in two of Avenue's friendlies, has accepted the terms offered by Storton.

But the Avenue boss said yesterday: "Frickley have blocked the move and said they want more money for him.

"We had agreed the fee with their chairman weeks ago and were expecting the move to be completed.

"But he says that when he went to the board with details they wouldn't agree and wanted a bigger transfer fee."

The player wants to join Avenue and the latest twist is expected to end with no more than a delay. Storton is hopeful he will have Thompson for Saturday's UniBond Division One opener against Chorley at Horsfall Stadium.