RADCLIFFE earned a point in a hard-fought encounter at Runcorn Linnets with a share of the spoils a fair outcome in a 0-0 draw.

Both sides had chances to score but goals were the only thing absent in a match full of commitment and effort from both sides.

Boro had suffered their fourth consecutive defeat on Saturday, going down 2-0 at home to Skelmersdale United but stopped the rot on Tuesday night.

Radcliffe had early chances as Rick Smith fired over after a fine move through the midfield and Elliot Rokka showed good skill to get by the home defence but also fired over the bar.

Matty Carr was booked early in the match for a strong challenge which set the tone for the game between two committed sides. Despite this, few names were taken by the referee in the early stages.

Linnets created a couple of great chances to score in the first half, including a ball that went across the goal without a player available to tap home.

Ollie Martin had to make three good saves in the first half, the best of them a low stop at a shot heading towards the bottom corner.

Boro’s Ben Wharton had a chance just before the break but, from a tight angle, it was easy enough for Runcorn keeper Dylan Forth.

Linnets had an opportunity just after the break, Martin again rescuing his side. A corner whipped in found a Linnets player at the back post and Martin somehow tipped his finish wide.

After a spell of Runcorn pressure, Radcliffe then gained the upper hand and made a number of chances.

Kingsley Williams made a darting run and put in a fine low cross but no Boro player had charged into the box to capitalise.

Wharton hit the side netting as more chances arrived, and he also set up Scott Metcalfe but he also fired wide, just as the offside flag went up.

The game became tight in the later stages, Williams shooting from distance and and Rokka firing over in a good spell for Jon Macken’s men. George West also tested the keeper but the goal would not come.

Radcliffe thought they had broken the deadlock on 76 minutes when Metcalfe’s free kick into the box was powerfully headed in by Carr but was given offside.

In the closing minutes Boro almost lost the game but Martin was alert and tipped over a free kick.

As the five minutes of stoppage time ticked away both sides tried frantically to win the game but with the two teams cancelling each other out it was right they collected a point apiece.

Next up for Boro is Saturday’s Evo-Stik West match at home to Colne.

Kick off is 3pm.