Bradford Park Avenue are galvanising themselves and looking to gain strength from their experience after Thursday’s disappointing defeat in the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-offs.

It is the second season on the trot that Avenue have tasted bitter defeat at home in front of a bumper crowd in the end-of-season extras.

Last term they finished as runners-up but were defeated by Boston United. This season Avenue ended in third spot and a 2-0 loss to FC United of Manchester.

“It is a dreadfully disappointing feeling but its part of the game,” said Bradford director Kevin Hainsworth.

“It was a superb atmosphere at Horsfall Stadium on Thursday night. I don’t think we performed overly well, I think the occasion got to the players.

"But, as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so we 'dust ourselves down and start all over again’ as the song goes.

“You have to congratulate FC United and their fans. In an atmosphere like that those supporters are like an extra man, so when we had a man sent off it was as if it was 12 against ten. You have to be honest and say they got at us early, didn’t let us settle and were worthy winners.

“I spoke to Lee (FC United’s manager Marginson) for a while after the game and wished him and his club well in Monday’s play-off final at Colwyn Bay.

"It was nice to speak with him and its how football should be - you fight tooth and nail on the pitch and you make friends off it.

“On reflection, it’s bitter-sweet really because going back to January we would have taken facing FC United in the play-offs.

"Now it’s happened, it is over for us but what a ride. We wouldn’t be Avenue if we didn’t do things the hard way.

“We are working on next season already. John (manager Deacey) has asked me to go this week and watch a player we are thinking of bringing in. Just because our season is over doesn’t mean we will be clocking off.”