BRADFORD (Park Avenue) are tantalisingly close to moving out of the National League North relegation zone, after completing an inspired comeback at home to Boston United.

Boston had originally taken the lead through striker Jake Wright, before two goals in eight minutes via Simon Richman and substitute Jacob Blyth secured a crucial three points at Horsfall.

The victory sees Bradford claim their second victory in six games, and they are now just a point adrift of Kettering Town out of the relegation zone.

Avenue manager Mark Bower was left delighted with his side, saying: “I’m pleased, and I thought the second half showing definitely meant we warranted the win.

“I thought we looked a little bit leggy in the first half and I felt they were the better side and on top, winning more loose balls and more first contacts than we did.

“Having said that, they never really caused us too many problems, and the chances they had came from our mistakes.

“I think you could see from the Tuesday night game (a 1-0 defeat at Banbury United), the effect that had had on the players’ legs.”

Asked how he tried to help turn things around at the break, Bower said: “I just told the lads at half-time that we needed to sharpen up, be quicker and try to be a little bit more positive.

“I wanted us to keep the ball but to try and play forward a little bit more too.

“I thought that we did that really well. We started off the second half brightly and were strong on the front foot.

“I don’t remember George (Sykes-Kenworthy) having to touch the ball until the last few minutes when they were trying to get back into the game.

“We scored two really good goals as well.

“I thought the first one was well worked down in front of us.

“Lucas (Odunston) got in well and Ringo (Richman) showed some great composure to finish and then the winner was a fantastic cross by Reece (Staunton) and a great header by Blythy to get us in front.

“We certainly deserved it.”

Bower named two changes from the midweek defeat to Banbury, as Brad Dockerty and Mitch Lund replaced Blyth and Sheffield United loanee Thomas Angell.

It was a slow start at Horsfall, but Boston had the earlier opportunities as Wright saw two strikes flash wide of Sykes-Kenworthy’s goal

Jamie Spencer has become a fan favourite at Avenue since rejoining the club from Guiseley, and saw a strike go narrowly off target.

Scott Pollock had a tame strike easily stopped by Sykes-Kenworthy, after some lovely vision from Sam McLintock.

But on the verge of half-time, the visiting Pilgrims took the lead. Lovely link-up play involving Pollock and McLintock saw the former sweep a low cross into Wright, who calmly swept the ball home from within the box.

Jordan Preston is still looking for his first goal since joining Bradford from Spennymoor Town on loan, and he will be frustrated not to have got it seconds before the break, as his strike hit the side netting with the goal at his mercy.

Heading into the second half, chances were few and far between, but Avenue took one when it presented itself.

Odunston found space down the right wing and delivered a low cross into the box for the experienced Richman, who hammered the ball home beyond a stranded Sam Long.

And just eight minutes later, it was jubilation for Bradford thanks to substitute striker Blyth.

Staunton lifted a teasing ball on to the head of the towering forward, who powered the ball past Long for his fourth goal of the season, and ensuring a crucial victory for Bradford to round off November.

Avenue are next in league action this coming Saturday for an earlier kick-off, as Bower’s side make the journey to Buxton for a 12:30pm kick-off.

Just over 48 hours later, they host rock-bottom AFC Telford United, with that Monday night game at Horsfall getting underway at 7:45pm.

But before both of those games, Avenue entertain Brighouse Town in the West Riding County Cup second round tonight.