RADCLIFFE BORO 2, OSSETT TOWN 2: Relegation threatened Ossett Town came to Stainton Park determined to deny Boro a third straight win and did so despite going in two down at half-time.

Peter Carty made his home debut for Radcliffe, replacing the injured Gary Sampson and he marked the occasion with a fine goal.

However, despite taking that two goal lead, Boro were never fully in control and eventually had to settle for a point.

The match was slow to get going with Ossett working hard to deny Boro time on the ball.

The dry nature of the pitch didn't help and both sides struggled to put moves together.

Richard Battersby made a couple of threatening runs but Boro's first chance came when Town goalkeeper John Hood flapped at a Martyn Forrest free-kick but Paul McGuire couldn't hit the target.

Alex Callery had a couple of long-range efforts for Ossett and James Walshaw hooked wide frmo the edge of the box.

When Boro did manage to pass the ball around they looked dangerous and Scott Wilson combined well with Steve Foster only for Ciaran Kilheeney's 20-yard strike to clear the bar.

Nevertheless, Kilheeney break the deadlock after 25 minutes, playing Foster through and following up to score with a well-controlled shot when Hood parried Foster's initial effort.

Two minutes later, Carty cleverly beat his man only to have his shot charged down but after 28 minutes he did get on the scoresheet.

Battersby and Kilheeney combined to set him up and from the edge of the penalty area the deftest of chips found the net, leaving Hood bemused.

Boro were in the driving seat without ever having looked convincing.

Steve Spencer almost added a third from Kilheeney's driven cross but on the half hour Boro were given a warning when Stephen Price's 25-yard shap shot thudded against the bar.

Niall McNamara threatened after 36 minutes but Danny Hurst was quickly off his line to block and twice before the break McNamara tried his luck without success.

From a half-time position os strength, things went rapidly downhill for Boro.

Eight minutes from the restart the dangerous McNamara turned Kelly and cleverly stroked the ball beyond Hurst from outside the penalty area.

Foster had a chance for Boro, shooting past the far post from McGuire's long ball, but Ossett looked the more dangerous and they drew level after 59 minutes.

Boro's defence was all at sea and McNamara strode through to plant the ball emphatically beyond Hurst.

The game became increasingly scrappy and the nearest anyone came to a winning goal was when Steve Foster spotted Hood out of his goal, but the Town keeper backpedalled anxiously to grab the ball on the line.

Kilheeney threatened sporadically and Carty tested Hood with a teasing cross but neither team showed the quality to conjure up a winner.

BORO: Hurst, Spencer, Carty, Kelly, Royle, McGuire, Wilson, Battersby, Kilheeney, Foster, Forrest. Subs: Fleury (for Battersby 62), Massey, Johnston.

HARRY INNES