Morpeth Town slip to midweek defeat against high-flying Bradford Park Avenue

Morpeth Town’s unbeaten streak at Craik Park came to an end on Tuesday evening with 2-0 defeat at the hands of fellow NPL East high-flyers Bradford Park Avenue.

The Highwaymen had extended their winning run to five matches on home soil with a 3-1 victory over Grimsby Borough on Saturday, but second-half goals from Robbie Fox and Marcus Carver decided a hard-fought contest in the visitors’ favour in midweek.

Fox’s opener came from the penalty spot after Morpeth were penalised for handball, with Carver’s 84th-minute second effectively ending any lingering hopes of a Town comeback. As a result, Bradford move to the summit of the table, with Morpeth remaining third.

Speaking after the final whistle, Town assistant James Armstrong said: “I thought it was a very close game, wasn't much in it either way. I didn't think there was loads of quality in the game, I can't remember either keeper making too many saves to be fair.

“It was just sort of very sketchy, like no one really wanted to make a mistake. But yeah, you can't ask much more of the boys, they've given everything tonight.”

On the penalty incident that led to Bradford’s first goal, Armstrong added: “I'm not one to speak ill of referees, but I feel like he's cost us, especially second half. He gave everything to them, couldn't wait to give the penalty. It wasn't a good performance on his part, and I'm not one to speak ill of referees, but yeah, I didn't really think he was up to it.”

Morpeth also suffered an untimely injury blow prior to kick-off when in-form striker Adam Lennox was ruled out of the contest. Reflecting on the forward’s absence, Armstrong said: “Lenny's been flying, to be fair. Last few games he's been scoring, assisting - he's been a real positive in the final third for us. But yeah, it's just something that happened at work and he couldn't play.

”It was a bit of a blow before kick-off, but it is what it is. Look, the boys have been on a fantastic run, couldn't really ask any more of them tonight, the last 13, 14 games. But that's done with now, we need to try and put a run together again.”