Bradford Park Avenue 0 Rossendale United 0

Park Avenue stretched their unbeaten run in UniBond Division One to five games but they had to settle for a home draw against in-form Ross-endale United at a blustery Horsfall Stadium.

The adverse weather put paid to any of the finer points of the game. Flowing football was not on the menu.

It was a pity because the two sides pushing for promotion could have produced a far better spectacle on a better day.

"The weather definitely did it no favours, the wind and rain just didn't let up. It ruined it," said Avenue boss Phil Sharpe.

"I'm disappointed because I wanted us to win it but I'm not downbeat about the performance.

"We were the better side again. We hit the post and created all the chances so we could have won it with a bit more luck.

"We will take a point, we are going in the right direction. Sometimes things don't always go according to plan. You are not going to win every game.

"It keeps our unbeaten run going so that is another plus.

"It makes it a bit more frustrating when the others teams have dropped points and you could have made inroads into their points total.

"But on this occasion, we will accept a draw."

Neil Redfearn made the 999th appearance of his long career and he almost made it memorable. It was his free-kick that had Rossendale keeper Jean-Paul Najebayi beaten but it cannoned back off the woodwork.

That was in the opening quarter hour when Avenue were camped in the visitors' half having won the toss and electing to have the wind at their backs.

A Simon Parke header, an angled drive from Mark Wilson and a free-kick from Neil Ross also threatened Dale's goal.

Najebayi touched a Liam Flynn free-kick over his bar but Ross wasted a good opening by blazing high over the target.

Avenue keeper Piotr Skiba had a quiet afternoon. It was midway through the first half before he was called upon. Dale's Phil Edghill tested Skiba's concentration but he was equal to the effort.

Aveune ended their half of dominance with yet more chances as two headers from Ross flew just over.

The elements were in favour of the visitors after the interval but Skiba saved a shot from Phil Eastwood on his line and then palmed a corner over his crossbar after substitute Neil Zarac had forced the keeper to parry a shot round his post.

They were the best two moments for the visitors while Avenue made light of the wind and rain in their faces.

They created more against the elements than Dale did in the entire game.

Despite the stalemate, Avenue stayed in the hunt for promotion by holding their place in the top five. They slipped one place but remain within striking distance of the top spot as they trail new leaders Stocksbridge by just three points.

They turn their attention to the West Riding County Cup tonight when they host Yorkshire Amateur in the first round.

Horsfall Stadium is also the venue for Wednesday's clash with Huddersfield Town for the White Rose Trophy.