Avenue will be in the fourth round of the Evo-Stik League Cup despite their home defeat to FC Halifax Town in the competition.

The terraces were rife with rumours at last Saturday’s home game against Colwyn Bay in the Premier Division.

Nothing had been reported on the league’s website and Avenue’s next-round tie had not been added to the fixture list but it has now been confirmed.

Neighbours Halifax had beaten Avenue 3-0 at Horsfall Stadium on Monday, January 10 after second-half goals from Danny Holland, Lee Gregory and Scott Phelan.

But Avenue were reinstated when it transpired that Scott Hogan, who started the game, was ineligible for the Shaymen.

The midfielder had already played in this year’s competition for his previous club Woodley Sports.

A league statement said: “The cups committee, under the rules of the competition, had no option but to remove FC Halifax Town and reinstate Bradford Park Avenue.”

It was a twist of irony because Avenue had been removed from another competition earlier this season for the same reason.

They beat Eccleshill United in the West Riding County Cup but had fielded on-loan Bantams striker Chib Chilaka, who was ineligible.

So Avenue will now be looking forward to their fourth-round tie, although they will have to wait to find out who they face.

The Bradford club came out away from home in the draw against Sheffield or Durham City or Frickley Athletic.

Avenue boss John Deacey will still be aiming for a double, of sorts, this season as they battle on two fronts.

The League Cup is back on the agenda but the hunt for a play-off place is very much the main focus.

Deacey admitted last week’s home defeat to second-placed Colwyn had given his side “a mountain to climb” but he has not abandoned all hope.

With Halifax currently nine points clear and having three games in hand, it is widely expected that they will march on to lift the title and take the only automatic promotion place to the Conference North.

That means any of the clubs currently in the top half of the table could be in the play-offs.

Avenue, who host Halifax on Monday, were in there last season after finishing as runners-up but they would happily take fifth place this term to sneak into the end-of-season extras.

l Avenue’s reserves strengthened their grip at the top of the Lancashire League with a resounding 5-0 victory against Silsden. Jacob Lever (2), Shane Hamilton, Damian Mitchell and Aidan Day scored the goals.