RADCLIFFE came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Burscough at the Neuven Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Boro manager Jon Macken will look for a reaction from his side after they looked off the pace for periods of the game, requiring a late leveller from Shelton Payne to avoid defeat.

The Linnets took the lead through Johnny Brannigan before Boro captain Kingsley Williams equalised shortly after.

Burscough regained the lead through the head of Chad Whyte from a brilliantly whipped-in corner.

But Radcliffe’s new signing Payne grabbed his second goal for the club, firing a low free-kick into the bottom corner.

Both sides took their time to get settled in the game and find their feet.

Burscough had the better of the possession in the early periods but it was Macken’s Boro who had the first clear-cut chance, with Ben Wharton’s shot parried for a corner.

Scott Metcalfe’s ball in was met on the run by Callum Grogan but his header flew over the bar.

The visitors took the lead, Brannigan firing a powerful free kick into the back of Oliver Martin’s goal after a deflection off the Boro wall.

Two minutes later Williams fired a shot in off the underside of the bar to draw Boro level. They almost edged ahead at the end of the half but Rick Smith volleyed wide.

Both sides spurned chances in the second half and Burscough’s second goal came on 79 minutes, Whyte nodding in.

But, five minutes from time, a foul on Tunde Owolabi gave Payne the chance to find the bottom corner with his free kick, his fine finish ensuring the match ended 2-2.