BRADFORD Park Avenue are always good for a run in knockout competitions, having twice reached the first round of the FA Cup in recent seasons.

But the 2014-15 campaign also saw them land some silverware to cap a very positive conclusion.

With the bleak prospect of relegation from Conference North shadowing them for much of the season, the cups proved a welcome distraction as John Deacey's men could go into their ties free from pressure.

There was no joy from the FA Cup for Avenue this time as they bowed out at the first time of asking.

Conference North clubs join the competition in the second qualifying round and the draw was unkind. It paired the Bradford club with AFC Fylde, a divisional rival who were chasing promotion.

The Coasters wrestled home advantage from Avenue with a 2-2 draw at Horsfall Stadium in the initial clash and they edged the replay 2-1.

Avenue's first tie in the West Riding County FA Cup followed soon after but it initially led to frustration.

After travelling to Goole AFC, Deacey's men travelled back without having played after the referee called the game off because of fog – only to see it lift before the scheduled kick-off time.

A week later, Bradford won 3-2 at Goole and moved on to the FA Trophy.

As with the FA Cup, they landed a home tie against a league rival but this time Avenue triumphed 3-1 over Leamington.

Old foes Kidderminster Harriers were next up and the club from the higher tier of the Conference ended Avenue's interest.

Harriers rattled in four goals at Horsfall, while Danny Frost's reply was a mere consolation.

That left Avenue with just one pot to aim for and, after blowing away neighbours Farsley in the last eight of the County Cup – winning 5-1, with Frost firing in a hat-trick – they faced Tadcaster Albion in the semi-finals.

Avenue were the highest-ranking club left in the competition at that stage but there was far from serene progress for them.

The semi-final against the Toolstation Northern Counties East League title-chasers turned into a saga.

Avenue were drawn at home but requested to play at Tadcaster because of problems with the Horsfall pitch.

Albion obliged and Avenue ran out 3-2 winners, only to discover later that they had fielded an ineligible player.

Tadcaster lodged an appeal and Avenue would have been kicked out of the competition had the West Riding County FA not been culpable for the administrative error.

The governing body had advised wrongly on which of Avenue's recent signings met the qualifying criteria.

A replay was ordered but Avenue won that 4-0, booking a place in the showpiece final at Valley Parade.

Former Bantams striker Chib Chilaka was having his best season with Avenue and enjoyed his return to City's home as he netted the only goal of the game.

Avenue and their supporters celebrated wildly as the team lifted the trophy aloft after their 1-0 victory over Garforth Town.

It was a true release of emotion as Avenue were safely in lower mid-table by that mid-April evening.