Radcliffe Borough assistant manager Paul McGuire was happy to settle for a point against mid-table Harrogate Railway Athletic on Saturday, despite his side leading 2-1 with just two minutes remaining.

Boro, who fell behind in the 54th minute through a Nathan Cartman tap-in, took the lead with goals from James Mullineux and substitute Elliot Rokka, before Fatlum Ibrahimi denied the visitors a much-needed victory in the 88th minute.

The 2-2 draw was enough to lift Boro out of the Evo-Stik Division One North relegation zone on goal difference, but McGuire is all too aware it could have been so much more.

He said: “We conceded in the final minute which was a bit of a choker, but overall I think it was a valuable point gained.

“We worked really hard. We went a goal down, did well to get back into the game and take the lead, and then conceded in the dying moments.

“We probably should have won it really but we’re happy with a point. We dominated the game and the lads really took it to the opposition. They showed a bit more hunger and more fight and really took it to them. All in all though it wasn’t a disaster to go there and get a point.

“It was an outstanding team performance. The team are really buying into what we want them to do now and it’s showing in the performance.”

McGuire was delighted with the contribution of returning left-back Sam Grimshaw, following his recovery from a broken leg in November, and Ben Manning, who was also back in the team.

“It was Sam’s first start in a long time. He’s a very good, composed left-sided full-back.

“They both took up the left-sided positions and we had two debutants on the bench too.”

One of those debutants was substitute Ibk Matutupe-Djo, who made a good impression when called upon in the second half.

“Matutupe-Djo did okay up front and hit a few good shots. He’s got a bit of height and a bit of strength.”

However, the stand-out moments in the match for McGuire were the brilliant goal from Rokka, which put the Boro into a 2-1 lead with just four minutes remaining, and the form of captain Mullineux.

McGuire said: “Elliot is a young lad and he took his goal brilliantly. It was a beautiful goal to see from the sidelines.”

“James is a great centre-back and a big imposing character. He’s the kind of guy you want to get up there and get you back into the game with a set piece, and that’s what he did.”

Missing from the side on Saturday were Simon Carden (work commitments), Steve Howson (permit) and Chris Thompson (bad back), but they should all be back in contention to face eighth-placed Ossett Town at Stainton Park on Saturday.

“The squad is certainly at its strongest right now and we’ve got plenty of options,” said McGuire.

“We’ve got some young legs, a bit of strength in depth and things are looking positive.

“All the lads are enthusiastic. We’re turning up to games with a bit of an edge about us and a lot of the games left to play are winnable.”