BRADFORD (Park Avenue) began the New Year with a derby day spectacle that saw their 10 men clinch a crucial point against Farsley Celtic in National League North.

It was the third time that these two sides have encountered one another this season, with an FA Trophy win for the Celts in November followed by two league draws since.

Two penalties awarded against George Sykes-Kenworthy and a sending off for Reece Staunton saw the odds piled against Bradford yesterday, but a vigilant performance was enough to earn a point against third-bottom Farsley.

The result puts Avenue three points clear of the four-team relegation zone.

Avenue boss Mark Bower was left feeling pleased with his side, saying: “There are mixed emotions on it.

"I think when you go down to 10 men after half an hour and you’re 2-1 down in these conditions, to get a point you have to be absolutely delighted with it.

"I'm really pleased with the efforts of the lads from that point onwards as they were playing on an unfamiliar surface, in poor conditions and on a pitch that probably suits Farsley more than it suits us.

“But for good spells of it with 10, I thought you couldn’t tell that we were down a man.

"We played some decent stuff at times and we had some good openings ourselves.

"Obviously they put us under pressure, they’ve got good quality in their team and they play the pitch well.

"The way we defended, we were very restricted in the second half, but I’m really pleased with my players.”

Avenue started the game off the brighter, as midfielder Sam Fielding had an effort comfortably saved by Max Dearnley in the Farsley goal.

But just six minutes into the match, there was disarray for Bradford as Jimmy Spencer was brought down by goalkeeper Sykes-Kenworthy, with a penalty being awarded to Farsley.

But Sykes-Kenworthy quickly went from zero to hero, as he confidently stopped Frank Mulhern’s penalty to prevent Farsley taking an early lead.

Jordan Preston has impressed for Avenue since his loan switch from Spennymoor Town, and the forward once again found himself on the scoresheet.

In the 19th minute, a teasing Will Longbottom cross was directed home by Preston to hand Avenue the advantage.

The lead proved to be short-lived however, as Will Parkin met a fantastic cross from Lewis Butroid and steered the ball past Sykes-Kenworthy to draw the scores level.

Sykes-Kenworthy was then in the spotlight for the wrong reasons once again, as the Avenue goalkeeper came to claim a cross aimed for Mulhern, but instead managed to foul the Farsley forward to gift the home side another penalty.

Up stepped Mulhern once again, and this time he calmly slotted the ball home against his former side.

Not long after there was more frustration for Bower’s side, as Staunton was adjudged to have made a rash foul by the referee, and was awarded a straight red card for his actions, despite Avenue protests.

Heading into the second half though, it took just a minute for Bradford to respond to their earlier setbacks, as they drew level through Jacob Blyth.

Another brilliant cross from Longbottom, against his former side, was fired home by Blyth for his sixth goal of the season.

Kian Scales has been impressing for Farsley since his loan move from Bradford City, and he forced former Bantam Sykes-Kenworthy into a strong stop as the hosts looked to reclaim their advantage quickly.

Farsley came agonisingly close to making the most of their man advantage late on, as a corner found Connor Teale, but his looping header hit the woodwork.

In the end, there was no final breakthrough for either side, as the scores remained level, with Avenue certainly the happier side with the point.

Bower's side are next in action on Saturday, as they host fellow relegation rivals Kettering Town.