The Scholars defence looked disorganised from the off and Avenue were ahead after only three minutes, Adam Clayton’s free kick met by Ross Daly who drew the ball inside Jimmy Turner and slotted back across Ryan Price in the Chasetown goal to put the hosts ahead.

Several more free kicks were conceded by the visitors in the opening quarter of the game, while in the 11th minute Alex Steadman went one-on-one with keeper John Lamb and rounded him, but defender Martin Drury got back to clear the ball for a corner.

On 19 minutes Nathan Hotte blocked a Lee Parsons shot with his hand and was instantly sent off. Jake Sedgemore slammed the resulting penalty kick home and the Scholars were level.

Chase had a good chance to take the lead on 32 minutes when Alex Steadman forced a way between the last defender and keeper Lamb, but the former Mickleover man’s flicked shot bounced off Lamb’s legs and he was able to gather the loose ball.

Steadman found two further chances in the closing minutes of the half but shot wide and was beaten by Lamb to Turner’s 41st-minute cross with Bradford looking collected and in control throughout the half.

Gary Hay enjoyed a brace of chances for the Scholars as the second half began, his first opportunity seeing his header too close to Lamb before the striker headed down Sedgemore’s free kick with Lamb again saving with his legs. Richard Marshall had the ball in the net for Avenue on 55 minutes but the flag was up for offside.

On 63 minutes just after Parsons had seen a shot blocked following an attack by Ben Jevons and Steadman, the play moved straight to the other end of the field and Chris Slater’s handball as Nicky Boshell cut in earned the hosts a penalty. Price dived the correct way but home skipper Rob O’Brien’s kick was just out of his reach and Avenue were back in front.

Hay headed a Chris Peel cross wide and Lamb saved yet another Sedgemore free kick but it was ten-man Bradford who were the more organised and robust side throughout and took the three points on a disappointing day for the Scholars with their second defeat in six days.

Chasetown: Price, Turner (Perrow, 68 mins), Peel (M Branch, 72 mins), Slater, Stride, Cohen,
Parsons (Farquharson, 75 mins), Sedgemore, Hay, Steadman, Jevons

Other Subs: Teesdale, Edwards (not used)