Report: Season ends with Avenue defeat

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HARRIERS were hit with goals in each half as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to exit the play-offs at the first hurdle against Bradford Park Avenue.

Adam Boyes struck for Avenue inside ten minutes as the hosts started slowly, before improving rapidly before the break.

Harriers dominated the early stages of the second period but couldn’t find an equaliser – Johnson striking from close range to send the Bradford fans into delirium.

The reds had fashioned the night’s first chance with a blocked McQuilkin effort but, with ten on the clock, Bradford were ahead – a loose ball picked up by Johnson who fed Boyes, the former Aggborough loanee calming himself before driving an angled finish past Hall and into the back of the net.

Ngwatala and Bradley had half chances soon after, before Brooksby, on the half-hour, drove wide for the visitors and Wroe saw his free-kick cleared away.

A fine parry from Drench denied Bradley on 40 minutes as the hosts picked up, before Ironside suffered a similar fate as the keeper kept out his header.

Ngwatala saw two efforts eventually gathered by Drench inside the first quarter-hour of the second period, McQuilkin, Weeks and Horsfall all then driving off target.

Off the bench at the hour, Sonupé’s pace caused all sorts problems for Bradford – his delivery gifting chances to Ironside and Bradley – the former blocked on the line. Then, as another delivery sparked panic in the area, the ball fell to Taylor in space who could only blaze over the bar.

Come the 73rd minute, Bradford astonishingly struck both posts in the space of a matter of seconds as Mulhern and Boyes tried to add a second, before Bradley once again arrowed a shot towards target that skewed just wide.

Five minutes later, Bradford struck their second as Johnson struck at close-range to double their lead – a late rally bringing chances the way of Ironside, Bradley and Croasdale for Harriers, but the final push wasn’t enough.

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