Bradford Park Avenue 1 Colwyn Bay 2

Park Avenue’s battered and bruised squad put their bodies on the line for the penultimate time this season tonight and ended on the losing side.

After just missing out on the play-offs in the Blue Square Bet North Division with an away defeat at the weekend, Bradford followed that up with a narrow home defeat to struggling Colwyn Bay.

The home side had two efforts cleared off the line early in the first half following a good start, but, after Jamie Price and Paul Walker had been thwarted by last gasp clearances the visitors came back into the game towards the end of the goalless first half.

The Welsh side opened the scoring minutes after the interval when a long through ball from Michael Lea picked out Robert Hopley and he lifted the ball over Avenue keeper John Lamb.

Soon after the hour mark Shelton Payne side-footed in Colwyn’s second but Ross Daly showed good technique to reduce the deficit after skipper Nathan Hotte had played him through.

Tomorrow sees play-off rivals Altrincham hosting FC Halifax Town in a clash that could go a long way to deciding who finishes in fifth place. Both Lee Sinnott’s men and the Shaymen have secured involvement in the play-offs following last Saturday’s results.

Guiseley, who are assured of runners-up spot for a second term on the bounce, visit Harrogate Town, who – like Avenue – have just missed out on the play-offs.

Albion Sports moved a step closer to the title in the Baris Northern Counties East Division One when they opened up a four point lead over second placed Athersley Recreation thanks to a
4-0 win at basement outfit Askern Villa tonight.

Danny Facey started the rout before Kayden Jackson and Malachle Fakahaki added before the break, with centre back James Stansfield wrapping up the scoring with the only goal of the second half. Albion are now four points clear with just two games to play.

Tomorrow's action sees Albion’s neighbouring rivals Eccleshill United making the short journey to take on Pontefract Collieries in the same division. The Eagles will be in high spirits after a 3-0 victory on the road at the weekend.

Silsden are just four points above the drop zone in the North West Counties Premier Division after they were leapfrogged by Bacup Borough tonight.

The Lancastrians came from a goal down to win 3-1. Joe Jalil had given the Cobbydalers an early lead but Artjoms Butorins levelled before the break and second-half goals from Shane Birtles and Daniel Gray won it for the home side.