North Ferriby United 0, Bradford Park Avenue 0

BRADFORD Park Avenue earned a point from a difficult trip to FA Trophy winners North Ferriby United.

It was the final round of league fixtures as the Vanarama Conference North regular season ended and the goalless draw saw Avenue climb two places to finish a very creditable 13th after being deep in the relegation zone at the turn of the year.

Unfortunately for Avenue's midweek opponents Stalybridge Celtic, they dropped down. The Celts played well towards the end of Tuesday's game against John Deacey's men but Avenue held on for a 1-0 win.

They were fourth from bottom then but a 5-4 defeat at home to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday saw them relegated. That was because Colwyn Bay won 5-3 away at Worcester City, who had beaten Avenue 1-0 in Bradford's final home game of the campaign.

With cheers and tears going on elsewhere, there was very little drama on the pitch at Ferriby's Eon Visual Media Stadium. However, Avenue's opponents face an uncertain future with their owners looking to sell the club. There were even reports over the weekend suggesting Ferriby might seek voluntary relegation.

There were chances at both ends but it was clear that both clubs were ready to heave a sigh of relief as they slumped over the finishing line.

Tuesday's match winner Joe Colbeck had the first effort but his second-minute 30-yard free-kick flew just over the angle. A mix-up between a home defender and keeper Tom Nicholson led to an Avenue corner soon after but Ryan Qualter volleyed over from the flag kick.

Qualter was soon in action at the other end when he blocked a fierce shot from Russell Fry. Avenue's Jamie Price deflected a Fry free-kick for a corner from which Liam King curled a shot just over.

The best chance the home side had in the first half came when Tom Denton headed a Fry cross against John Danby's bar. Lamin Colley and substitute Paul Walker had half-chances for Bradford while Ferriby's Danny Clarke volleyed over when well placed.

Just five minutes into the second half, Ferriby's Matt Wilson found the net at the far post following a free-kick but was deemed offside.

Ferriby brought former Avenue man Jason St Juste and former Guiseley midfielder Adam Bolder on from the bench to try to inject some urgency into their play and Danby was forced into a superb double save.

The Avenue stopper parried a Denton effort and then sprung up to deny Bolder from the rebound. Avenue mustered a Nathan Hotte shot and a Colbeck free-kick but the home side threatened to win it when Bolder shot just over deep into stoppage time.