Bradford Park Avenue 2, Witton Albion 2: Avenue only just managed to hold onto the UniBond League's only unbeaten home record when they salvaged a draw from a display which manager Trevor Storton described as "a bad day at the office."

Avenue twice took the lead against the Division One leaders but on neither occasion looked strong or composed enough to consolidate their position.

"I was disappointed to see us outplayed," said Storton. "Sometimes you have to hold your hand up and it has to be said they were better on the day.

"We missed Wayne Benn and Neil Bagshaw at the back and didn't get to grips with their midfield. They ran the show and created loads of chances because we didn't close them down.

"But it's not all doom and gloom, they are not top of the league for nothing and we expected a difficult game - especially with two of our best players out.

"We have kept our unbeaten record and taken four points from six off the top team in the division. That is as good a return as we can expect."

Skipper Benn and central defensive partner Bagshaw were both sidelined by one-game bans for an accumulation of yellow cards so Avenue were forced into pairing Paul Marquis with Gary Edmunds at the back.

The home side had been under early pressure when they broke away to take a tenth minute lead. Mark Wilson tucked a low shot out of the reach of Albion keeper Ronnie Sinclair after good work from Jason Maxwell.

Avenue reached the break with their single goal advantage intact but only after numerous threats to Gavin Kelly's goal.

Gary Cooley had hit the bar, David Anane had headed wide with Kelly out of position, a free kick found Gareth West and he headed straight at Kelly and then the keeper did well to parry a close range effort from Danny Graystone and ex-Manchester City star Nigel Gleghorn blasted the rebound high over the unguarded net.

Five minutes into the second period Albion finally broke through, captain Charlie Boyd netting a superb 25-yard shot after another concerted attack.

Avenue got back in front after Chris Dolby had been brought down just outside the area in the 55th minute. From the resulting free kick half-time substitute Dave Donaldson headed in from Martin Pemberton's cross.

Albion had to wait just four minutes for their equaliser. Two efforts were half-cleared before Anane drove a shot past Kelly from inside the area. Avenue had a good chance later but could not have expected more than a point after being under the cosh for long periods.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.