TEN-MAN Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered their third loss on the bounce yesterday with a 2-1 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity.

While Avenue are now without a win since their home game against Marske United in October, there was some small comfort that their counterparts in the Northern Premier League Premier Division all dropped points too.

And despite defeat in Lincolnshire, the West Yorkshire side have moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference, so are up to 18th in the 22-team league table.

The visitors could not have started the clash in better fashion yesterday either.

Former Bantams midfielder Connor Shanks danced around the Trinity defence and placed his effort in the top corner, claiming his first goal for Avenue.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Connor Shanks left the Gainsborough defenders in his wake as he opened the scoring for Avenue. Connor Shanks left the Gainsborough defenders in his wake as he opened the scoring for Avenue. (Image: John Rhodes.)

The away side continued to apply the pressure, as Harry Colville decided to catch Luke Jackson out, but the attempt was caught comfortably.

But the hosts started the second half in the best way possible. 

Dayle Southwell received the ball on the penalty spot and calmly slotted his effort into the back of the net.

Gainsborough took further advantage of that shaky start to the half from Avenue, as they took the lead for the first time.

Javelle Clarke was in the right place at the right time, scoring when Lewis Butroid’s strike was parried into his path by debutant Avenue keeper Brad Wade.

Wade was announced as signing for the club yesterday lunchtime on an initial 28-day loan from Guiseley, after Heath Richardson returned to parent club Bradford City following his temporary spell at Horsfall.

But Wade's debut was made no easier after Gainsborough's second goal.

A hectic second half continued to deliver, with Avenue defender Jak Whiting sent off on the hour mark for a last-man tackle following a Gainsborough break.

A glimmer of hope came from Shanks in the final stages, as Avenue desperately attempted to take something back to Bradford.

The former City man's strike forced a great save out of Luke Jackson, the Gainsborough stopped pushing the ball behind for a corner.

The game finished and the hosts took all three points, and it was that disastrous first 15 minutes of the second half which proved fatal for Park Avenue.

Avenue travel north next weekend for a league game at mid-table Lancaster City, where they will aim to stop their losing streak extending into a full month.