Buxton 2 Bradford PArk Avenue 0

Another chance to underline their credentials as UniBond Division One title hopefuls, or at least promotion candidates, eluded Avenue as they slipped to defeat at one of their rivals.

Buxton, managed by former Bradford City boss Nicky Law and having a rumoured big budget, were not at their best - but neither were Avenue and the game could have gone either way.

The fact that the home side won it will fuel frustrations at the Bradford club because once again there was nothing to choose between the sides, with Avenue boss Phil Sharpe adding it to his list of "if onlys".

"It was a close game but, at the risk of sounding conceited, I would have to say I thought we were the better side," claimed Sharpe.

"In terms of possession and football played, we must have dominated the stats. That doesn't win you games though. We have made two mistakes and they haven't, it is that simple.

"We are all aware that Nicky Law knows his football. I think if he is honest he will admit that his side got away with it in this game. They were a bit fortunate they got all three points and they will be glad of that.

"They won't go unbeaten all season, they don't have that special kind of quality, but they will be there or thereabouts and we have just missed a great opportunity to put one over on them because they weren't at their best.

"We have dropped at least ten points this season because of individual errors, experienced players making schoolboy mistakes. The trouble is, every time we have made one we have been punished, while we are not making the most of mistakes the other teams are making."

Sharpe was proved right in his assessment of the game because Avenue did give as good as they got at Silverlands. Buxton's keeper had to make some fine stops as they stumbled to a clean sheet.

The home side netted with their first genuine attempt of the game, which was just before the half-hour mark.

A ball into the area was not dealt with as Avenue keeper Piotr Skiba punched and Darren Ward netted from the resulting scramble.

Just before the hour, Buxton doubled their lead when an Avenue old boy began a counter-attack.

Tom Agus got possession in the left-back position and launched it forward, it was helped over the head of Avenue skipper Lee Connor and Ward got on the end of it to grab his second.

Avenue's best chance was a Neil Redfearn shot late in the first half, when the former Bradford City and Barnsley midfielder was thwarted only by a fine save from the home keeper.

After the interval, a set-piece saw centre back Connor dispatched forward and he went close with a header.

Avenue will not be in the best form going into tomorrow's trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels but it will be the best therapy for them and provide an instant opportunity to put a very difficult week behind them.

Sharpe said, ahead of the six-pointer': "Stocksbridge are another of the sides who will be looking to gain promotion this season and have all the infrastructure in place to make the most of it if they do. There should be no better motivation for our players."