Bradford Park Avenue play-off push fading away

A home draw just about kept Bradford Park Avenue’s slim promotion play-off hopes alive after a ding-dong Blue Square Bet North battle with rivals Altrincham.

Lee Sinnott’s fifth-placed side are a step closer to securing their place in the end-of-season extras but they twice had to come from a goal down to earn a point.

The blustery conditions made it difficult for both sides but the first half only remained goalless because home keeper John Lamb made a good save to thwart Matt Doughty from the penalty spot.

The game came to life after the break and Richard Marshall broke the deadlock just over ten minutes into the second half. He controlled a long free-kick from Lamb before firing an excellent shot past visiting keeper Stuart Coburn.

Sinnott’s sixth-placed men retaliated with an equally good finish as James Lawrie curled in a 73rd-minute equaliser.

The goal of the game was yet to come as Jordan Deacey dribbled past three defenders before putting the home side back in front. But just a minute later Gianluca Havern headed home a Lawrie free-kick to make it all square again.

Both sides pushed for a late winner but neither could produce one and a draw was probably the right outcome.

Brighouse Town kept the pressure on Premier Division leaders Scarborough Athletic in the Baris Northern Counties East League with a 2-1 win at mid-table Maltby Main.

Second-placed Town were in the hunt for the title up until last weekend’s home defeat to the Seadogs but bounced back at Maltby with a goal from Ryan Hall and a Tom Matthews penalty after going a goal behind.

Eccleshill United had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against neighbours AFC Emley in Division One.

Marcus Edwards put the Eagles in front but a spot-kick converted by Ash Flynn midway through the second half earned the visitors a point.

Relegation-threatened Silsden suffered a 2-1 defeat at home in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Fifth-placed visitors Winsford United took a two-goal lead into the break, Andy Hurst and Brian Matthews on target, and all the Cobbydalers could muster was a second-half strike from James Gill.