Ashton United 0 Bradford Park Avenue 1

 Avenue mounted a successful mission across the Pennines and returned with all three points from a narrow but ultimately deserved Evo-Stik Premier Division victory.

The Bradford club held fifth place going into the clash and still remain just outside the top four in the division but that could all change tomorrow night when they host Marine.

A win would take them into fourth at the expense of Chorley and Avenue would still have three games in hand over their red-rose rivals.

Press spokesman Lewis Sale said: “It was a good win, our third on the trot in the league, and in hindsight a crucial one.

“Many of the clubs in and around us also won so we needed a good result to keep us in touch.”

Avenue had to work hard for their win and they had to wait until the 88th minute for the all-important strike.

Aiden Savory proved to be the match-winner as the visitors finally unlocked Ashton’s stoic defence.

Savory was part of a three-pronged attack with Richard Marshall and Matty James and it was Marshall who threatened first at Hurst Cross.

He was on the end of an early cross from Nathan Hotte but turned the ball just wide.

Further chances followed for Rob O’Brien and James, after Ross Daly had played him in with a pinpoint through ball, but neither was converted.

Ashton included former Avenue and City striker Kevin Sanasy in their side but he had a quiet afternoon.

The home side’s Chris Amadi was the only player to give Avenue’s defenders anything to think about.

In a game of few clear openings, Savory and Marshall combined to create a half chance after the break, only to see a shot from the latter blocked inside a packed area.

Then Savory won the game with a low shot past home keeper Terry Smith from the edge of the area, after taking the time to set himself.

The only worry for Avenue was a second-half injury to Amjad Iqbal, who went to hospital for a precautionary scan after limping off in the 69th minute.