Report

Consett bowed out of the FA Trophy after losing 2-0 in the 2nd Qualifying Round at NPL Division One East league leaders Bradford Park Avenue.

Jason Miller’s side were without the unavailable Ben Ramsey and unwell Isaac Walker and Dean Armstrong, but still made their hosts work hard for the win at the rain-drenched Horsfall Stadium.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the first half, with Consett having the first chance of the game when Donny Holdsworth forced a good save from home keeper Jack Hall in the fourth minute.

Bradford had a half chance in the 24th minute as Ackroyd met Charlie Winfield’s cross from the left and sent a looping header just over the bar.

The home side had another chance on 36 minutes when the ball fell to Connor Shanks in a good position, but Harry Moss stood up well to save.

Consett had one more good chance when Brendon Daniels’ corner from the right found Calvin Smith, whose downward header bounced back up off the 3G pitch and wide.

Half-time: Bradford Park Avenue 0 Consett 0

The home side took the lead in the 51st minute when a right-wing corner bounced around the Consett six-yard box before Connor Shanks bundled the ball home from close range.

Consett’s players were adamant that he had used his hand to force the ball over the line, but the referee was having none of it and the goal stood.

Bradford made a triple substitution and it almost paid immediate dividends when one of the newcomers, Luke Parkin, was sent clear, but Moss saved.

But there was little the keeper could do in the 68th minute when Bradford doubled their lead, and again their subs were involved. This time Parkin combined with Tom Corner, who buried the ball in the far corner.

Consett’s best chance to get back into the game came in the 77th minute, when Daniels’ corner found Liam Colledge at the back post, but he fired wide.

It wasn’t going to be the Steelmen’s day, and the home side saw out the rest of the game for a deserved 2-0 victory.