Harrogate Town 2, Bradford Park Avenue 1

AVENUE slipped to the bottom of the National League North table after a disappointing defeat at neighbours Harrogate Town in their derby at the CNG Stadium.

It was a closely-fought contest but the statistics are very stark as Avenue, yet again, failed to pick up as much as a point.

That leaves them rock-bottom after seven games going into a must-win weekend home fixture against AFC Telford United, who leapfrogged them after a 2-0 Bank Holiday home win, their first of the campaign.

Avenue threatened to bank their first victory of the season at Harrogate as they led at the interval, only to be overhauled in the second half.

Martin Drury received a boost ahead of the game when regular keeper Jon Stewart, who had been forced to sit out of Saturday's 4-4 home draw with North Ferriby United with a back injury, was declared fit.

He returned to the starting line-up with Tom Burgin coming in at centre back instead of Danny Hall, who is on loan from Guiseley. There was also a start for Nicky Walker as he replaced Massiah McDonald.

Avenue started well, with Chib Chilaka and Nathan Turner – the latter from a Chilaka lay-off – both going close before the home side had their first attempt. That was from a free-kick that was blocked for a corner, which was soon cleared.

Chances for both sides followed and the home side went close when former Avenue and Bantams winger Joe Colbeck sent in a free-kick that Stewart tipped onto his bar.

But it was Avenue who drew first blood and they did it at a key time in the game, just minutes before the break.

A combination of former Harrogate players produced the goal as good work from Chilaka set up Richard Marshall, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the outside the area.

Yet the hosts drew level just four minutes into the second period when Brendon Daniels netted a good shot over Stewart. Avenue's defensive frailties were at the core of them conceding their lead – and it got worse.

When Burgin conceded a cheap free-kick in the 75th minute, it allowed Daniels to make it a personal brace and underlined the poor defending this season that has cost Avenue, who have competed in every game but have banked just three points from a possible 21.