Harrogate Town 1 Bradford Park Avenue 1

Park Avenue warmed up for tomorrow’s home derby against FC Halifax Town by earning a point at neighbours Harrogate Town.

They had to come back from a goal down and they dropped places in the table but will take heart from what was a hard-fought draw.

Bradford struggled to get going but Town’s goal, just after the quarter-hour mark, seemed to spark theminto action. The home side’s constant threat was former Bantams striker Chib Chilaka, who enjoyed a loan spell with Avenue, but he was not their scorer. That accolade was claimed by Shane Killick as he bundled the ball over the line following a Dave Merris free-kick.

Avenue levelled with another long-range stunner from Richard Mar-shall. The former Halifax forward fired in a rasping shot from distance to equalise in the first game of the season and he went one better in this third game.

Marshall’s effort on the half-hour flew into the top corner from 35 yards, giving Town keeper Jose Veiga no chance.

Town’s centre back Alan White had a header saved, and Killock almost scored again, but Avenue created chances in the first half. After the interval they were more under the cosh but they defended well.

Chilaka was never far away from putting Town back in the lead and he was ably assisted by the home side’s contingent of former Guiseley players. Merris’s dead-ball deliveries were precise, while Adam Bolder and Lee Elam went close.

Avenue’s Rob O’Brien and had a couple of late chances and there was even a penalty appeal from the visitors. Paul Walker went down in the area under close attention from a defender but the referee remained uninterested.

Avenue spokesman Lewis Sale said: “We remain unbeaten which I’m sure John (manager Deacey) will be pleased about. It will be a tough game against Halifax, probably the hardest test yet.

“Matty James must be a doubt because he came off at half-time with a tight hamstring.”