Burscough 0, Bradford Park Avenue 2

Bradford Park Avenue moved three points clear at the top of the UniBond League Premier Division after a hard-fought victory at struggling Burscough.

With closest rivals losing and promotion hopefuls Guiseley and North Ferriby United thrashing out a draw, it was a good weekend for Avenue, who also have three games in hand on second-placed Boston United.

But the victory came at a cost as manager John Deacey explained: “We lost a few of the lads to injury, with James Knowles suffering concussion and Matty James being forced off.

“A bad clash of heads left Knowlsey struggling. He travelled back with the rest of the team but we will have to keep our eye on him for the next couple of days.

“Matty has a niggling ankle injury and he couldn’t continue. He only made the starting line-up because Rob O’Brien failed a fitness test.”

O’Brien had been substituted at half-time of the win against Marine the previous Saturday but the changes have not disrupted Avenue’s progress.

The victory at Burscough was Avenue’s eighth on the trot and it also made it eight consecutive away wins, setting a new club record.

This was more of a battling performance than the imperious ones of late. The team did not purr with precision but showed a strong mentality and the determination and desire needed to consolidate their leadership.

Avenue made a good start as skipper Simon Baldry put them in front in the 13th minute.

But it took them an age to double their advantage, substitute Luke Gibson netting three minutes into stoppage time to make the game safe.

“We didn’t play fantastically well but it’s good opening a gap with other results going our way,” said Deacey.

“Being points clear and having games in hand is not a bad position to be in. But as I’ve said before, there is a lot of football yet to be played this season.

“We have got some big games coming up this month and that will sort the men from the boys.”

Avenue host Guiseley in the West Riding County Cup quarter-finals tomorrow night and the Horsfall boss is hoping he has a strong squad to field.

“I’d love to get to the semis and beat our neighbours on the way but obviously there are injuries,” said Deacey.

“There is no way Knowlesy will make it and we also have quite a few in the squad that are cup-tied for this competition.”