Spennymoor 0 Bradford PA 2.

Spennymoor’s hopes of winning automatic promotion from the Vanarama National League North were virtually ended in a 2-0 home defeat by Bradford Park Avenue, their fourth successive game without a win.

Moors are now six points behind Stockport on the same games, and ten behind leaders Chorley with a game in hand, while Bradford have drawn level on points with them.

While Moors weren’t at their best, they still created some good chances, but Bradford keeper Charlie Andrew was equal to them.

Bradford had the first chance on 7 minutes, a snapshot by midfielder Conor Branson that went just over the bar.

But Moors replied with a curling left foot shot by Stephen Brogan from way out on the right that Bradford keeper Charlie Andrew tipped over the bar.

And from the corner that followed by Mark Anderson from the left, James Curtis had a downward header cleared off the line. However, Bradford went straight up the other end, and Lewis Knight set up Jake Beesley whose low shot was blocked by Gould.

And Bradford had another chance when some neat play by Beesley set up Knight, whose shot was blocked.

The visitors took the lead on 24 minutes when a free kick by Knight, awarded for a foul by Ryan Hall, was curled into the area from the left, and when the ball ran loose, Branson squeezed the ball in from a tight angle.

Moors nearly levelled on 33 minutes, when Glen Taylor hit a fierce volley that Andrew fingertipped against the bar, and Anderson, following up, headed the rebound wide from six yards.

Moors had another chance three minutes before half time, when Anderson helped the ball on for Hall, who flicked the ball towards goal and forced Andrews into a full length save down to his left.

Bradford had the first chance of the second half, a header by Beesley that Gould held on to, then Taylor forced Andrew into a low save with a header at the other end.

Bradford controlled the pace of the game after that, with Moors unable to put many good passing moves together, until the 73rd minute when Adam Boyes sent Hall clean through, but again Andrew came to his side’s rescue again with a good save.

It got worse for Moors when defender Scott Harrison was shown a straight red for pulling back Beesley.

Despite the disadvantage, they nearly levelled with a header by Taylor that Andrew saved at the foot of his post.

And it was all over for Moors on 85 minutes when Beesley chased a long ball downfield, beat Gould to the bounce, and tapped the ball in.

Spennymoor: Gould, Williams, Brogan, Chandler, Harrison, Curtis, Hall, Ramshaw, Taylor, Boyes (sub Henry 90), Anderson (sub Tuton 46).

Subs: Thackray, Elliott, Hibbs.

Attendance 749.