Bradford Park Avenue 2, Ashton United 3: History does repeat itself. That was proved by this victory for Ashton at Horsfall Stadium which sounded the death knell on Avenue's lingering UniBond Division One promotion hopes.

The last time Avenue lost a league game at home was against the same opposition a year ago. Back then it was Ashton who were chasing a place in the Premier Division.

Avenue's home form since then has lifted them into contention for a step up, but Saturday's defeat leaves that dream in tatters.

It has been a tremendous season for Avenue but they have just six games left. Though they remain fifth they are four points behind fourth-placed Accrington Stanley and ten adrift of leaders Burscough.

Wednesday's home match against Eastwood Town will give them the chance to regain some ground but they have no game on Saturday.

It will remain a mystery to management duo Trevor Storton and Clive Freeman how they failed to take three points from this game.

They had the visitors under pressure for long periods and looked set to overcome their bogey side when they came from behind twice. But they lost skipper Wayne Benn with an ankle injury and the match in a desperate last five minutes.

Benn's involvement in the rest of the season is in serious doubt after he was whisked by ambulance to hospital for X-rays within minutes of being carried off.

By that time, though, Avenue should have been too far in front to be affected by the loss. They could have been four goals up by half-time.

Midfielder Chris Dolby, new signing from Emley Dean Calcutt and Jason Maxwell had gone close before Ashton scored from a 31st minute breakaway, their captain Jeremy Illingworth netting a superb 30-yard drive.

Avenue levelled seven minutes later when Martin Pemberton struck with a 12-yard shot after good work from Maxwell. Ashton goalkeeper Andy Johnston ensured his side reached the interval on terms when he pulled off a great save to deny a Mark Hancock volley.

Into the second half another break from the visitors saw them force a corner. When Darren Royle headed the ball back across Kelly's goal Paul Clowes scored with a header.

A 77th minute corner for Avenue led to Dolby equalising with an angled shot, but as Benn lay on the sideline waiting for his ambulance Ashton's Michael Carmody shot home the winner in a scramble.

Ian Whiting

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