ACCRINGTON Stanley's unbeaten run continued at the Horsfall Stadium, but they had to show their character to come back from behind.

The Reds started strongly against their Yorkshire rivals and could have taken an early lead when a Paul Mullin strike came back off an upright.

Stanley kept up the pressure with new signing Tony Black denied by a good block by Park Avenue keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel, and then midfielder Mike Marsh saw his 30-yard strike clip the crossbar.

One Stanley player eager to make an impact was ex-Park Avenue winger Dean Calcutt, but he found himself effectively snuffed out by an excellent marking job from Matt Daly.

As the half wore on Bradford came more into the contest with Rory Prendergast a threat on the left wing, but a string of crosses failed to create a chance for a colleague in front of goal.

In the second half Avenue pressed and in the 58th minute the home side got their reward from a corner.

Prendergast's delivery found former Huddersfield and Halifax Town centre back Graham Mitchell on the edge of the six yard box and, though he could not get in a shot, the ball was directed to Phil Lindley who fired into the net.

Stanley needed an equaliser but they were looking unlikely to threaten an Avenue defence in which Mitchell and James Stansfield were in strong form.

However, when the chance presented itself Accrington ensured that they grabbed a point.

On 76 minutes they won a free-kick just inside the Avenue half and the Bradford marking was found wanting as leading scorer Mullin rose at the far post to send a well directed header into the net from Marsh's cross.

A push for a winner failed to materialise and Prendergast continued to threaten down the left, only for headers from Maxwell and Daly to flash wide of the target.

Stanley may not have been at their best, but a point keeps them five points clear at the top with a game in hand over second placed Worksop Town.

BRADFORD PA...1 ACCRINGTON...1