Bradford Park Avenue 1, Harriers 1

FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round

JACK Byrne ensured Harriers remained in the FA Cup on a day when the gods of football did their best to cause a shock in Yorkshire on Sunday.

It was a day where Steve Burr’s Skrill Premier high-flyers were pushed to the limit by their spirited opponents from the Conference North.

With a soggy pitch nullifying their passing game and heavy wind and rain only further encouraging the hosts, the potential for a cup upset looked very strong.

Only two years before, Harriers had exited at the hands of Corby Town in similar circumstances but a more experience Aggborough side ensured their name was still in the draw.

Bradford, who stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches, had the best of the first-half and terrorised the visitors through pacey winger Paul Walker and striker Alex Davidson.

The pair combined brilliantly in the 26th minute, when the wideman teed up the striker to beat keeper Danny Lewis with a sensational curling 30-yard effort.

But Byrne dragged Harriers back into the game nine minutes later, when the completely unmarked midfielder headed home from a Joe Lolley corner.

He nearly bagged a second after the break, but his header skimmed the bar.

Both teams had their chances in a frenetic period, with Lolley beating the keeper with a trademark chip which flew just over, and substitute Anthony Malbon firing wide in the final minute.

Lewis also denied the dangerous Davidson, while the referee ignored Bradford’s call for a penalty when captain Kyle Storer handled the ball while lying prone in the box.

Storer, who made his 100th appearance for Harriers, said: “My 100 games is pleasing, I am proud to do it at a club of this stature.

“It was a tough game and we were under no illusions how hard it was going to be. Two season ago we lost to Corby, so we knew we had to dig deep at times.”

Bradford PA: Lamb, Howarth, Drury, Marshall, Knowles, Clayton, Lenighan (Deacey 70), Hotte, Davidson, Boshell (Chilaka 70), Walker. Subs not used: McMurray, Corner, Maxfield, Quinn, Hume.

Harriers: Lewis, L Vaughan, JACKMAN, Grimes, Gowling, Fowler (Gittings 61), Storer, Byrne (Tolley 84), Lolley, Blissett (Malbon 46), Morgan-Smith. Subs not used: N Vaughan, Angus, Johnson.

Referee: Ben Toner.

Attendance: 464