Bradford (Park Avenue) finally lost in the Northern Premier League East Division on Saturday, as their unbeaten run ended at nine games.

They were beaten 3-1 at Newton Aycliffe, with their only goal of the game coming in the first half through a brilliant strike from Connor Shanks.

That drew the visitors level after they had fallen behind early on, but the home side got back on top and were deserving of the three points on the afternoon.

Newton Aycliffe were quick to bring the fire into the game, when with only 15 minutes gone Jack Hall had to pull off a brilliant save to deny them the opening goal.

Avenue were quick to retaliate to that chance when just a couple of minutes later Ted Lavelle hit a shot first time from the edge of the area, only to be denied by the home keeper.

The hosts responded by going in front, when a brilliant transition from defence to attack ended with Liam Jarvie being sent through and squeezing a shot past Hall despite pressure from the defender.

But Shanks was able to bring Bradford back level almost instantly, as he picked up the ball just outside the box, skipped inside the defender, then thumped a great strike past the keeper.

Connor Shanks crashes Avenue level at Newton Aycliffe on Saturday.Connor Shanks crashes Avenue level at Newton Aycliffe on Saturday. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Parity did not last long however, Liam Adamson’s effort taking a deflection on the way through, leaving Hall with no chance in the Avenue goal.

With just over 30 minutes gone, Avenue ended up further behind when Wayne Whitfield curled a stunning free kick past Hall and into the net.

The home side were content to sit on their lead after the break, leading to manager Craig Elliott making a triple substitution on the hour mark.

Myles La Bastide, Connor Dimaio and Alex Francis all came on in a bid to turn the tide, but nothing was working.

The in-form Paddy Sykes had a rare off day and was replaced by Jimiel Chikukwa, while an attacking substitution with 10 minutes to go saw Elliott throw striker Jack Normanton on for defender Josh Ashman, who had picked up a booking late in the first half.

But despite that additional firepower, Avenue’s attempts to get back into the game came to nought, with this their first league defeat since losing to Ashington on September 10.

Avenue missed the chance to move back into the play-off spots on Saturday, but they still sit sixth in the table, with an impressive 28 points from 16 games.

This coming Saturday, Avenue return to Horsfall where they take on Dunston, who currently sit only one place and three points behind them in seventh.