A Connor Shanks strike proved to be the difference in a tight encounter between two teams which were only separated by one point in the table coming into the match.

A closely contested start to the game saw both teams create good passages of play, but both defences managed to prevent a decent opportunity. An early penalty shout for Avenue’s Shanks didn’t faze referee Ryan Coulson as Jamie Barkway showed impressive strength to see the ball out of play.

Town managed to find Matt Antcliff and Rinor Ejupi in space on separate occasions deep into the Green Army’s half, however both were brought down with big shouts from the home crowd for fouls.

Bradford Park Avenue finished the first period on top, as Patrick Sykes met a whipped cross with a glancing header – forcing an impressive block on the line. Seconds before the interval, a Normanton flick on left Sykes one-on-one with Harry Flatters in the Garforth goal, yet a stumble before his strike saw the chance mis-hit wide.

A refreshed Garforth began the second half with intensity; as a brilliant ball through by Max Tweddle found Antcliff in a great crossing position, but the ball narrowly ran past the byline. The constant attacking pressure from Town without an end product proved costly, as Avenue’s first attack of the half on the counter allowed a cutback pass to Shanks on the edge of the box, who finished with a stunning volley that slotted into the bottom left corner in the 52nd minute.

An immediate fightback was needed. Shortly after the opener, Tweddle managed to get himself into space 25 yards away from goal, and a cracking low strike forced a good save from Jack Hall in the visitors’ goal. Two minutes later, Ejupi was found in space, but a scuffed effort from close range prevented the equaliser.A brilliant drive down the left flank by Matt Savage allowed him a chance from a tight angle; again testing Hall as he narrowly tipped the strike around the post.

Paul Marshall’s side continued to battle for a leveller with the addition of James Burgess, Jay Davis, Max Bauer and Alex Zachariou. But a determined Avenue backline managed to hold onto the clean sheet and three points. Town will look to bounce back on Wednesday, away at Heaton Stannington.

Attendance: 496