LUCA Havern and Oli Johnson collected their first point since taking over in the Bradford (Park Avenue) dugout, as a Chinedu Osadebe brace earned BPA a 2-2 draw at Lancaster City on Saturday.
The visitors found themselves ahead on two occasions, but unlike the previous two weeks where they came away with nothing, the Horsfall side hung on to collect a valuable point in their bid to pull further away from the relegation zone.
However, it would be Lancaster who started brighter out of the two sides and if it wasn't for careless finishing, then the hosts would have found themselves ahead. Their first meaningful effort was blazed over the bar, while their second opportunity of the contest was dragged wide just as a clear sight of the goal opened up.
Havern's side were slowly working their way into the game when Osadebe raced clear before firing a low shot towards Lancaster's goal, but the goalkeeper was a great match for Avenue's pacey forward on this occasion.
He wouldn't be stopped two minutes later, though, as he met a cross perfectly after some brilliant play down the right-hand side between Odunston and La Bastide to send Avenue into the break 1-0 up.
But just like the previous weekend at Gainsborough, Bradford found themselves conceding only a minute after the interval. After a melee in the away side's box following a strong drive by Brad Carroll, the ball fell kindly for Kyle Brownhill to tap home the equaliser.
Shortly after the 70th minute Avenue regained the lead. Myles La Bastide went on a jinking run at the heart of Lancaster's defence and after being tripped up in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Will Longbottom whose effort crashed off the bar, but there was Osadebe to gratefully head the ball into the back of the net to send the visitors into a 2-1 lead.
With the clock ticking down and Avenue heading for a precious three points, they would soon be fearing the worst when Carroll bundled the ball home following a goalline scramble from a corner situation on minute 77.
A Jaime Mellen sending off for Lancaster did ease the nerves for Havern and Johnson after he was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence with three minutes left of the 90.
Thankfully for Avenue they held on to their first point under their caretaker managers, and while the search continues for a permanent boss, the side from Horsfall will be hoping that this draw can be the springboard for more success moving forward.
The result leaves BPA 19th in the Non League Premier division, one spot above the relegation zone and Basford United (20th) which comes down to goal difference.
Up next for Avenue is a home fixture against high-flying Rylands on Saturday, who currently sit 2nd in the division.
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