Two brilliant strikes by Brendan Daniels enabled Harrogate Town overturn a half time deficit and defeat a resilient Bradford P A.
Dave McGurk and Tom Platt replaced the injured duo of Paul Thirlwell and Danny Ellis,while Matt Bloomer and James Cadman were recalled to the subs bench.
In Town’s opening attack,Daniels found himself in front of goal but the Avenue defence was quick to close him down as he dwelt on the ball.
Bradford,belying their lowly position,took the game to Town with Craig King forcing Peter Crook to save at the foot of the post and Nathan Turner shooting over the bar.
Town’s,Andy McWilliams found Daniels on the left but his over hit cross floated past the far post.
Town were looking jaded after Saturday’s exertions and it was the travelling fans who were making all the noise.
Luke Shiels was called into action to head away Danny Schofield’s dangerous free kick after Crook fouled Chib Chilaka on the edge of the area.
However,it was Town who nearly opened the scoring who Dom Knowles was brought down just outside the box and Jon Stewart had to fingertip Joe Colbeck’s free kick over the bar.
Avenue were not to be denied, and on fortyone minutes Chilaka squared to Richard Marshall whose low shot into the far corner beat the diving Crook.
A clearly stung Town hit back with a tremendous free kick from Daniels which produced a flying save from Stewart to preserve Avenue’s lead.
Within five minutes of the restart,Town were level.
There seemed little danger when the Avenue defence lost possession thirtyfive yards out,but Daniels had other ideas and unleashed a swerving thunderbolt which left Stewart grasping at thin air.
The transformation was immediate;the Barmy Army found their voice and Town were revitalised.
Tom Platt tested Stewart with a lob and sub Lloyd Kerry was inches high with a free kick.
Avenue were still full of fight and Adam Mather brought out a diving save from Crook,while Kerry blocked a Bradford corner on the line.
With fourteen minutes left,Daniels conjured up another piece of magic when Town were awarded a free kick just outside the area.Daniels made sure of “the Man of the Match” award and secured victory for Town ,when he curled the ball round the wall and just inside the post beating Stewart.
The home defence,with Lewis Turner and Dave McGurk outstanding,easily repelled Bradford’s remaining attacks to send them back pointless.
Town
1 Crook, 2 Turner, 3 McWilliams, 4 Platt, 5 Shiels (Bloomer 70), 6 McGurk (c), 7 Colbeck (Kerry 62),8 Nyoni, 9 Clayton(Thewlis 62), 10 Knowles, 11 Daniels.
Unused subs
14 Swain,17 Cadman Booking Kerry Att 678
Scorer Daniels 49,76 Man of the Match Daniels,
By John Harrison
