Whitby Town 3, Bradford Park Avenue 1 

Bradford Park Avenue lost their pre-season unbeaten tag in their final friendly as they underperformed on their trip to the seaside yesterday.

Bradford had been building up nicely to next Saturday’s Conference North opener but they came up against a strong and determined outfit from the division they have just left behind.

Evo-Stik League Premier Division Whitby Town turned in a winning second-half display.

The first chance came the way of the visitors but Rob O’Brien’s shot was meat and drink to home keeper Nick Liversedge.

Just before the half-hour, Avenue did have the ball in the net, Jamie Jackson chipping in after latching onto a through ball but play was called back for an offside flag.

Whitby created a good chance but David McTiernan’s shot, from Graeme Armstrong’s break, was well saved by Tim Deasy in the Avenue goal.

Avenue countered by forcing a corner, which Jordan Deacey superbly delivered. Jackson put in a good leap and got purchase on his header but Liversedge tipped the ball over his bar.

Liversedge denied Deacey, and O’Brien and Danny Holland both missed the target with late first-half efforts.

Holland and Jackson were back in the squad after missing the 3-1 midweek victory over Bradford City at Horsfall, and Holland showed why he was restored to the starting line-up. Just two minutes into the second half, Holland netted a header to give Avenue the lead.

Ten minutes later, Whitby were level after Nathan Evans had swept Armstrong’s low centre past Deasy from close range.

The home side were a goal to the good in no time at all after Nathan Mulligan found himself with space to convert Liam Mahoney’s whipped-in cross.

Holland and Richard Marshall kept Liversedge on his toes but it was the home side that had the last word as they put the gloss on their victory.

Mark Robinson stole possession in the 86th minute and swung the ball in from the left for Callum Hussan to rifle home.

Next up for Avenue is the visit of Worcester City in Blue Square Bet North.

Bradford boss John Deacey knows his players will be focused on that game as he knew they probably were during their trip to Whitby, and that fact contributed to their defeat.