Garforth Town 1, Bradford Park Avenue 4

Avenue showed their backbone is not brittle by bouncing back from their defeat to title rivals Curzon Ashton in convincing style.

When Garforth Town's owner Graham Clifford quit his coaching role alongside Sir Clive Woodward at South-ampton and channelled his energy into the Leeds-based club, they were installed as favourites to climb out of the UniBond Division One North.

But this defeat put them ten points behind Avenue, having played five games more.

Clifford, who made his millions with the Brazilian Soccer Schools, has taken a hands-on management role unlike his Avenue counterpart Bob Blackburn - also a millionaire businessman - who placed his faith in Benny Phillips.

The action on the pitch did not disappoint and it was Phillips' latest signing Chris Williams, who inspired Ave-nue to victory.

The debutant scored the only goal of the half with a free-kick two yards outside the Garforth area which was drilled underneath the wall.

Just three minutes into the second half, Garforth levelled through Chris Brown. His shot from inside the area looked to be covered by Avenue keeper Jon Worsnop but the ball found its way into the net with the assistance of the wind.

Avenue caused more problems for the home side and deservedly edged back in front just after the hour.

Williams delivered a free-kick and Chris Gaghan lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Andy Lee came off the bench midway through the second half and had a hand in the third goal.

A corner was cleared out to the left where Lee controlled the ball and crossed back in for Stuart Howson to head in.

The gloss was applied in stoppage time with a calamitous goal for the home side to concede.

Avenue skipper Ross Clegg clipped the ball over the defence for Gaghan. The winger hit a shot against the home keeper, who went down, and Mike Moseley slotted the loose ball into the unguarded net from the edge of the area.

The return to winning ways delighted Phillips and sets Avenue up nicely for tomorrow night's West Riding County Cup quarter-final derby with Eccleshill United at Horsfall Stadium.

Phillips said: "It was fantastic to win. We needed it but the pressure didn't weigh down on the players and they pulled out a really good team performance.

"Williams was the catalyst for us. He got the first goal, made the second and was a thorn in the side of the opposition. He has got a bit of craft about him, he has vision and can get into teams.

"The conditions weren't the best but we played good football.

"We were against the wind in the first half but it was all us and we said at half-time that if we kept at it we would put them under pressure.

"I'm told by the admin people that Williams is available for tomorrow night's cup tie so he will be involved in the squad."

After recent inactivity, Phillips is delighted to face another game so quickly.

"We have a couple of injuries and Matt Daly is having an operation tomorrow but we are looking forward to the game.

"It is not a distraction at all. Having had a couple of postponements recently we are happy to play twice a week. In fact, we would like to go all the way in this competition."