Bradford Park Avenue 1, FC Halifax Town 3

A bumper crowd saw Park Avenue lose a feisty derby to neighbours Halifax as both sides finished with ten men.

An entertaining game in front of over 1,300 spectators saw Town stretch their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division to 12 points.

And while the Bradford side had their chances, the Shaymen always looked in control. A former Avenue man put the seal on Halifax’s win, Tom Baker’s penalty making it 3-1 to the Shaymen.

The visitors opened the scoring in just the second minute. An early pass was played wide and when the cross came in, Jamie Vardy netted with an accomplished finish.

There was a touch of fortune as Town extended their lead. A long-range shot from James Dean beat the onrushing Avenue keeper John Lamb and went in, with the home side claiming a foul on the covering defender.

Avenue’s best opening of the first half came two minutes before the break but centre back Brett Renshaw planted his header wide.

A comeback looked on the cards as Avenue halved Town’s lead just two minutes into the second period. Martin Drury’s corner curled in on the wind and Aiden Savory converted it.

That strike was not without controversy as the referee had indicated a handball on the line before the ball went in. After conferring with his assistant, he awarded the goal.

Hopes for the home side and their contingent of outnumbered fans lasted 12 minutes before the penalty. Dean slipped past James Knowles and appeared to be held back, Baker making no mistake from the spot.

The Shaymen were reduced in numbers when Scott Phelan was shown a red card for a foul on Drury. Then Avenue’s assistant manager Mark Hume was sent off after an ill-advised lunge.