By Adam Harrison

RADCLIFFE were left fuming as Mossley rescued a point in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Steel Park in a very tight encounter.

Stand-in captain Rick Smith nodded Boro into the lead on 11 minutes with a brilliant looping header but 20 minutes from the end Adam Jones got the Lilywhites back into it with a close-range volley after a short spell of pressure.

Radcliffe had plenty of chances to win the game after Steve Mason’s red card late in the day but the two sides sides shared the points.

Jon Macken’s side started the game brightly, and Shelton Payne was played through by Matt Crothers but his shot curled narrowly wide of Jon Diba Musangu’s goal.

Boro continued to pile on the pressure in the opening stages, forcing a fantastic double save from the Mossley stopper.

On 11 minutes Smith broke the deadlock, climbing highest at the far post to head in Scott Metcalfe’s corner for his fourth goal of the season.

After the restart, the home side started to grow into the game. Mike Fish had their best chance but he could only find Ollie Martin’s gloves with his header.

The Lilywhites continued to look for the equaliser as the half went on, and Max Leonard looked to be clean through on 21 minutes but was ruled offside.

Former Tranmere man Elliot Rokka nearly doubled Radcliffe’s lead but he narrowly missed his header from close range and found himself – rather than the ball – in the back of the net.

Despite the miss, Macken’s side went into the break with a well-deserved lead.

Radcliffe picked up in the second half as they did the first and Payne saw another effort narrowly curl wide of the goal.

Payne again looked to be the outlet for Boro as he ran clean through on 63 minutes.

He appeared to be brought down by last defender Jones just outside the box but, much to Macken’s frustration, the referee saw nothing wrong with the attempted challenge.

There were more chances for Boro to seal victory but Jones – who Boro felt should have been red-carded earlier – made no mistake when the ball fell to him in the box, volleying home from close range to set up a tense last 20 minutes.

Rokka made way shortly after as new signing Michael Fowler entered the field for his first appearance in Radcliffe colours.

Mossley were reduced to 10 men late in the game as Mason saw red after a scuffle with Prince Haywood on the touchline.

But the home side hung on to collect a point, leaving Boro and Macken frustrated as they head into an extended break.