Bradford (Park Avenue) well beaten by in-form Hyde United

Avenue have not won a Northern Premier League Premier Division game since August, and this defeat saw them drop to 18th in the table, just two points outside the relegation zone.

The hosts started the clash on the front foot, as Brad Dockerty’s lofted pass met the head of Myles La Bastide, but the young forward nodded his effort wide.

Moments before the end of the first half, Hyde broke the deadlock.

Matt Fearnley produced a fierce strike from outside the area which caught Avenue keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy out and found the net.

The second half could not have started better for the visitors, as Ryan White drilled an effort into the bottom corner to double Hyde’s lead.

It went from bad to worse for Avenue, when a spectacular solo run and finish from Jack Redshaw saw him increase Hyde’s advantage to three.

He started his thrilling dribble from the halfway line and ended it with a composed finish into the bottom corner, in what was a moment to remember for the tricky forward.

It was not a perfect afternoon for Hyde, as Sonny Whittingham received a red card for a late tackle on Avenue defender Luca Havern.

The 3-0 victory for Hyde was their fourth league win in a row, moving them up to just outside the play-off places.

Avenue, lacking in form and confidence, started the fixture brightly but seemed to lose heart following the first goal.

There was little joy up top for Brad Dockerty (left) yesterday. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Giving his thoughts on the match, Bower admitted: “The best team won.

“I thought we started okay, but we lacked any conviction in front of goal.”

He added: “I felt we were comfortable out of possession, but a couple of minutes before half-time, we give the ball away and their lad puts his laces through it and scores.

“George hasn’t put a foot wrong in goal all season, but we’d expect him to be saving those.

“You could see the lack of confidence within the team as soon as that goal went in.”