BRADFORD (Park Avenue) held promotion-pushing Chorley FC to a goalless draw at the Horsfall Stadium in National League North on Saturday.

The visitors had the better chances for most of the game, but Avenue came on strong, and were left furious after not being awarded a late penalty.

The result means Avenue remain in 17th, but they are now four points clear of the relegation zone after Kettering Town lost 2-0 at Alfreton Town.

The first chance of the clash between Avenue and Chorley on Saturday fell the way of the visitors.

Avenue captain Luca Havern’s poor touch set up Adam Blakeman to strike, but his effort was went over the bar.

Moments later, former Bradford City player Adam Henley caught out another ex-Bantam, in Avenue keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy, with a dangerous cross that almost went straight in.

Fortunately for the hosts, this attempt only struck the post and was cleared away.

Midway through the second half, another fantastic save from Sykes-Kenworthy kept the scores level.

Henley thought he had beaten the in-form keeper on this occasion, but the strike was tipped over for a corner.

The first good chance for the hosts came late in the second half.

Will Longbottom tried to set up Jacob Blyth but Chorley produced some brilliant defending to keep the experienced striker out.

Then, ten minutes before the final whistle, there was a strong handball claim from Mark Bower’s side, but the appeals were waved away.

Bower received a yellow card for expressing his dissatisfaction with the referee’s performance, having received a warning earlier on in the clash.

After the game ended goalless, the Avenue manager claimed he was happy to pick up a point, calling his side “very poor”.

He added: “When that’s the case and it’s not going for you and you can’t string anything together or create any substantial pressure, it’s important that you keep a clean sheet.”

Bower praised the defensive stability of his side, given the large amount of pressure which the opposition put them under.

Avenue are next in action tomorrow night, away at high-fliers Kings Lynn Town, who are in contention to be promoted back into the National League this season after being relegated at the end of last term.