Stocksbridge PS 2 Bradford Park Avenue 2

 Park Avenue were let down by defending at set-pieces against second-from-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels last night but they came from behind to snatch a point.

John Deacey’s men had the better chances in the goalless first half and came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute. Leading scorer Aiden Savory was picked out by Nathan Hotte’s cross but his effort struck a post.

Soon after, a Nicky Boshell corner was headed by James Riley and Boshell himself latched onto the knock-down but his left-foot shot was well saved by Steels’ keeper Ben Scott.

Centre back Riley was involved again when his header from another corner was headed off the line in first-half stoppage time.

Riley was denied again early in the second half when another header, this time following a Rob O’Brien free-kick, was also cleared off the line. James Knowles went one better as he actually had the ball in the net but was flagged for offside.

The scoring was opened by the home side in the 55th minute when Brian Cusworth converted a set-piece from former Guiseley man Anthony Lloyd.

There were a few half chances at both ends before Cusworth netted a stooping header following another dead-ball delivery.

Avenue rallied though and rescued a point with a quick-fire double. Riley was in the thick of the action all evening so it was fitting that he got the first Avenue goal of the night. Boshell sent in another corner kick and the big defender headed past Scott.

Substitute Billy Law created the equaliser just two minutes later when he rounded two defenders and set up Boshell, who finished with a crisp low drive.

An injury to Adam Clayton in the dying minutes and the fact that new leaders Northwich Victoria had lost at home merely added to Bradford’s frustration at not gaining a maximum at their struggling hosts.