Harrogate Town 1, Bradford Park Avenue 1

Avenue and Harrogate must try again at Horsfall Stadium tomorrow night after playing out a stalemate in their FA Trophy third qualifying round tie.

The replay will be a repeat of the recent West Riding County Cup tie that Harrogate edged 1-0.

But after both sides were under-strength for the weekend Trophy clash at the CNG Stadium and picked up further injuries, the line-ups could be significantly different.

As expected the game was as tight as the County Cup contest but more entertaining, with a lot more goalmouth action and chances. The home side were better in the first half but Avenue edged the second.

Avenue striker Chib Chilaka caused his former side problems and Jordan Deacey’s tireless efforts worked the home defence. But it was one of Avenue’s former players that gave Town the lead.

Chris Hall had missed a good chance midway through the first half but he was much more accurate minutes later, climbing higher than marker Steve Mallory to get a firm header onto Matthew Bloom’s cross.

Chilaka put another shot over the target but it was Town who came closest to another goal before the interval. There was a mass scramble in the Avenue area after Hall nodded on a long throw-in but John Lamb’s goal led a charmed life.

Paul Walker had a much bigger influence on the second half after a quiet first period for Avenue. He had a good shot after cutting in from the left flank but straight into the arms of keeper Craig McGillivray.

The visitors finally levelled in the 70th minute when a Scott Maxfield cross took a big deflection off Deacey. The rerouted course took the ball towards Nicky Boshell and he had the simple task of slotting in.

Both sides had chances to win in the last ten minutes. James Knowles and Walker went close for Avenue, while Town’s Anton Brown was thwarted twice – once by a Lamb save and then when Mallory headed a chip off the line.

Avenue spokesman Lewis Sale said: “It will be interesting to see who is fit, for both sides, for Monday’s replay.

“From our angle, Nathan Hotte virtually played Saturday’s tie on one leg after pulling a hamstring. James Knowles was going to be on the bench but Adam Clayton pulled up in the warm-up.

“The first game was a good one and a good result but both managers were probably going for the win late on because they didn’t want this replay.”