BRADFORD (Park Avenue) earned a well-fought point on the road in National League North on Saturday, as they held Alfreton Town to a goalless stalemate.

Mark Bower’s visitors had chances to snatch the three points, but with five key players currently unavailable, it was still an impressive point for them at the Impact Arena.

The Avenue manager reacted to his side’s gritty performance by saying: “We had to throw a team together a bit.

“We lost a couple of players to illness late on so we had to make a few changes, but I thought the lads were magnificent, they did what we asked them to do really well.

“It’s a tough place to come, and Alfreton spent a fortune on another forward in Jordan Thewlis this week.

“With the likes of (Matt) Rhead, (Tom) Denton and (Dayle) Southwell up top as well, they are set-up to get into the play-offs.

“But we probably have the best chance in that second half and had to be very direct against them.

“They asked us a lot of questions, with our very young back three of Reece (Staunton), Sam (Fielding) and Lanny (Will Lancaster), but they dealt with that threat absolutely magnificently.

“It wasn’t just them though, I thought everyone worked really hard.”

Bower named three changes from his side that lost 2-1 at home to Peterborough Sports five days earlier, and a lack of fluidity perhaps showed early on.

Alfreton came close to opening the scoring through former Guiseley man Southwell, who latched on to a loose ball and volleyed wide.

George Sykes-Kenworthy has been an ever-present for Avenue so far this season, and the former Bradford City shot-stopper showed his class with an acrobatic save to deny Rhead an opener.

Sheffield United youngster Thomas Angell recently signed a loan extension with Bradford until January, and it was he who delivered a deep cross into Will Longbottom, whose goalbound effort was blocked by Alfreton.

Longbottom has also been in form for Bower’s side since rejoining the club from Farsley Celtic, and he saw a dipping free-kick go narrowly wide of the target.

Heading into the second half, Bradford came out immediately looking to grab the lead, as Angell’s low cross fizzed across goal before being scrambled clear.

Avenue striker Jacob Blyth looked to add to his tally of three goals for the season, but a fantastic last-ditch challenge denied the forward from breaking through on goal.

But Alfreton could not hold Avenue for long, and soon enough, Jamie Spencer found himself one-on-one with Alfreton keeper George Willis after some excellent football involving Longbottom.

Willis came out on top in the battle of wits though, as Spencer failed to squeeze the ball past the outstretched goalkeeper.

With five minutes remaining, Bradford had one last chance, as Angell’s cross found Longbottom, but Willis was there to palm away his effort, ensuring the game ended goalless.

The draw meant Avenue moved to within three points of safety.

Bower’s side have a rare midweek off now, and are not back in action until Saturday, when they host West Yorkshire rivals Farsley Celtic in the second round of the FA Trophy.