Willoughby stunner fells flying Avenue

FC UNITED of Manchester claimed a scalp against promotion-chasers Bradford Park Avenue.

The difficult conditions severely impacted upon the quality of football throughout the first half, as Joshua Wallen and Elliott Simoes fired wide for the Red Rebels while Avenue marksman Lewis Knight rattled the crossbar.

The hosts eventually broke the deadlock via Oli Johnson, whose tame strike found its way through a sea of bodies in the box and nestled in the bottom corner.

But the visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time when Chris Sharp rifled into the bottom corner.

Both sides went for the jugular after the restart and Conor Branson went closest for Avenue, while Kurt Willoughby was unlucky to be denied by keeper Steven Drench.

Two goals in quick succession put FC United ahead shortly after the hour mark. Jack Banister found the top corner in sensational fashion just two minutes before Willoughby fired past Drench after a mazy run down the left flank.

The hosts looked to pile pressure on the Red Rebels and were rewarded for their pressure when Knight found the top corner with a stunning free-kick.

But a late rally couldn’t find an equaliser for Avenue, who fell to their third consecutive defeat.

STAR MAN: Harry Winter (FC United of Manchester) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★