Bradford Park Avenue 1 Eastwood Town 3

Avenue contributed to their own downfall by virtually gifting the game to Eastwood and, in doing so, saw their hopes of topping the UniBond Premier Division table vanish in front of their eyes.

Had Avenue played to their potential they could have taken all three points and with current leaders Buxton and second-placed Clitheroe in FA Cup action, it would have elevated them to the summit.

So it was not the best time to turn in their worst performance of the season so far. The disappointment was almost tangible and Eastwood's joyous celebrations rubbed salt into the wounds.

"I have never seen so many so-called experienced players all play so badly in the same game," said dejected Avenue boss Phil Sharpe.

"We have made some shocking errors but what worried me more was that, as a whole, the team had no stomach for it.

"I have never been involved in a team as a player, or on the management staff, of a side with no bottle.

"There'll be words at training and it will not happen again at Bamber Bridge tomorrow.

"But there'll be no need for shouting and swearing; the players know they have let themselves down.

"There is nothing constructive in me, or anyone else, hurling abuse at them. They don't play that badly on purpose."

This last comment was probably aimed at the terraces, as there were a minority of dissenting voices on Saturday.

Eastwood had been battering at Avenue's defences almost relentlessly before they scored their 39th-minute opener.

Player-coach Richard Chattoe gave away possession on the edge of the centre circle, with Adam Kerley racing on to meet the subsequent through-ball and hammering in a low, angled drive.

Avenue reached half-time without further setbacks and started the second period well.

A piledriver by Neil Redfearn, one of only three players undeserving of criticism, was deflected for a corner.

Liam Flynn took it and also headed back the half-clearance, Jeremy Illingworth knocking it back from the far post for Lee Morris to bullet in a header.

But Eastwood capitalised on further Avenue errors to add further goals through skipper Peter Knox and Deon Meikle.