Bradford (Park Avenue) only able to draw with Brighouse Town

Having suffered two relegations in two season, Avenue now ply their trade in the Northern Premier League East Division, alongside the likes of Brighouse and Liversedge.

Brig came second-bottom of the division last season, but earned a relegation reprieve due to a couple of other non-league clubs folding.

On paper, they are one of the weakest sides in the league, and with Avenue openly admitting promotion has to be their target this season, this has to be the kind of game Danny Whitaker’s side are winning.

They made a bright start at Horsfall too, with Harry Colville scuffing his shot in the opening seconds straight at visiting keeper Kyle Trennery from a great position.

And Colville came close again moments later, after Paddy Sykes won the ball in the opposition half allowing Kelan Swales to break away.

He helped set Colville up for a first-time effort, but that flew over the bar.

Brighouse reset after that early onslaught from Avenue and came into the game, Josh Waldram firing over the top for the visitors after Danny Edwards’ dangerous cross to the far post.

Niah Payne’s free kick was then comfortably dealt with by Avenue, before Colville missed another chance for the hosts, heading wide from Alex Francis’ excellent ball in.

Instead it was Brighouse who went in front on the half-hour mark, Payne giving them a surprise lead.

And some solid defending thereafter ensured they went into the interval leading 1-0.

Avenue began the second half on the front foot, and they had a great chance to level when they were awarded a penalty after 55 minutes.

But former Bradford City midfielder Connor Shanks saw his spot kick saved by Trennery, as Brighouse’s hopes of a shock win increased.

That euphoria did not last long, with Avenue equalising on the hour mark.

The ball was worked out to Swales on the right, who sent in a brilliant deep cross to the far post.

Kelan Francis (left) set up last night's equaliser with a pinpoint cross to the far post. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Dan Francis beat his man in the air and headed the ball across Trennery into the bottom corner.

But the game fizzled out thereafter, despite the introduction of Bantams legend James Hanson with 20 minutes to go.

That means Avenue have won one, drawn one and lost one so far in the league, so they will be looking to bounce back with a home win over Liversedge on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sedge are yet to win in the league this season, with two draws and a defeat from their opening three games.

They were the better side throughout in their game at Bridlington Town last night, former Avenue strikers Omar Sanyang and Chinedu Osadebe both coming close to scoring.

But neither they nor their team-mates could find the net on a frustrating evening by the coast, and they were forced to settle for a goalless draw.