Bradford (Park Avenue) were beaten 5-1 at Kidderminster Harriers – but the scoreline didn't tell the whole story.

Avenue enjoyed good possession, created chances and hit the post, but were left to reflect on their opposition's dynamic quality in the final third on a day when everything the hosts hit seemed to fly into the net.

Afterwards, boss Mark Bower said: "It's probably the most flattering result for an opposition that I've been involved in for a long time.

"They've had probably five shots and scored five goals. They didn't have a corner until the 86th minute but what they did was score some outstanding goals – for me you wouldn't even consider some of the goals chances - they've been great hits from the edge of the box and unfortunately everything has flown in for them today.

"For large spells, we've gone really well against a really good side, but what they've shown is the quality they've got in the final third.

"It hurts you because you've let five goals in and lost, but it's a difficult one because you go through our team and a lot of lads have played quite well today. We've moved the ball well at times, got in some good areas, scored, hit the post, had a couple of other good efforts."

Bower praised the efforts of recent additions Nicksoen Gomis and Oliver Arblaster, who both started after arriving on youth loans from Sheffield United.

"The new boys have done really well for us," said Bower.

He concluded: "We've got to turn ourselves round quickly for a big game on Monday night."

Aggborough stadium sits alongside the historic Severn Valley Railway – but it was Avenue who started like an express train, enjoying good early possession and creating some promising openings.

In the 10th minute, the visitors' bright start was derailed when Ethan Freemantle gave the hosts the lead against the run of play.

Avenue again enjoyed some long spells of possession and nearly carved out an equaliser in the 17th minute when a superb cross narrowly failed to find its target in the middle.

It was a cruel blow when, just after the half hour mark, the ball fell kindly for Ashley Hemmings, who made no mistake to double Kiddy's lead.

But Avenue steamed back into the contest by pulling a goal back ten minutes before half time. The midlanders scrambled the ball behind after some excellent build up play down the right and, from the resulting corner, Dylan Mottley-Henry smashed the ball home.

The match remained at a pivotal junction for the next half hour before a third goal in the 65th minute gave Kiddy the platform they needed, before two further goals signalled the end of Avenue's challenge

To their credit, Avenue never stopped trying to get back on track and created good chances, the pick of which was a Lund volley that beat the keeper all ends up only to rattle the woodwork.

Defeat leaves Avenue third from bottom of the National League North table, with Southport and Gloucester below them and Hereford a point ahead.