As Guiseley supporters trudged out of Nethermoor in the torrential downpour near the end of this pulsating derby clash, the Avenue faithful broke into a fine rendition of "Singing in the Rain".

The happy-go-lucky Bradford supporters could hardly believe they had beaten play-off favourites Guiseley by three clear goals - and kept a clean sheet!

Avenue are now eighth in the table and just a point off a play-off position.

They had some desperate last-ditch defending and some marvellous saves by Craig Parry to thank for not conceding.

But Avenue showed why they have soared up the UniBond League Premier Division table in the last few weeks, with a committed show oozing grit and, at times, great quality.

They have now scored 14 goals in their last five league games, which have included four wins and a draw. And last night,

skipper Dean Jones - back at the heart of the defence after a long absence through injury - put in a towering performance.

Guiseley squandered early chances or failed to put them away and must be still wondering why they failed to score. They were desperately unlucky when Matty Smithard's cross curled over Parry and struck a post before bouncing back against the young Avenue keeper early on.

Then Parry tipped over a cracking drive from Simon Parke and got a hand to another flashing shot by Roy Stamer.

But Dean Calcutt flashed a header wide for Avenue before Tom Greaves gave the visitors the lead in the 43rd minute when he headed in Brook Newton's fine cross.

Avenue and Guiseley were out for the second half and lined up well ahead of the officials - and it was Avenue who struck a killer blow in the 51st minute when Calcutt rifled in an unstoppable shot after Tom Agus's free-kick had been blocked.

The clouds opened and Guiseley surged forward desperate to pull a goal back. Parry made another great save from Smithard.

But Greaves nearly made it three when his header was deflected wide for a corner from Phil Hadland's clever cross. And Avenue were in dreamland when, with the minutes ticking away, Damien Dunne's great persistence in the tackle sent Calcutt away on the left and his cross found Greaves, who was able to side-foot in his second of the game.

Manager Gary Brook is not one to get carried away and said: "We rode our luck a bit but so did they.

"The game could have had more goals in it. Our keeper kept us in it in the first ten minutes with some great saves.

"I have told our players if they work hard they will get the rewards - and they did. And it's even better when it's against Guiseley.

"We have got ball-winners and flair

players in this side. We know we can play good football and win games. There is a terrific team spirit."