RADCLIFFE clawed back some valuable points on the Evo-Stik West leaders with a 2-1 win against the Droylsden at the Neuven Stadium.

While table toppers Atherton Collieries lost to Colne, Boro beat the Bloods 2-1 with goals from captain Kingsley Williams and Ben Wharton either side of half time.

Domaine Rouse netted for the visitors at the death but Jon Macken’s side moved up to second with Runcorn Linnets – defeated 5-0 at Kidsgrove – to slip to third.

The first clear chance fell to Wharton, but his strike from distance went narrowly wide.

Droylsden had a chance of their own with Sefton Gonzales forcing Ollie Martin into a great save before Ishmael Camera’s shot was deflected wide.

The deadlock was broken in spectacular style on 20 minutes when Williams rifled a shot straight into the top corner of Chris Thompson’s goal.

The visitors looked to have grabbed an equaliser when Dominic Smith rounded Martin but Kyle Harrison got back just in time to put the goal-bound ball out for a corner.

On 57 minutes came Boro’s winner.

Tunde Owolabi danced his way into the Bloods’ box and was brought down for a penalty, which Wharton calmly slotted home to double the home side’s advantage.

Two very nearly became three for Boro but Craig Lindfield’s effort from distance went agonisingly wide after some brilliant work to pluck the ball out of the sky.

Macken’s men were also denied their third goal by an offside flag raised as Wharton turned in Elliot Rokka’s squared ball.

And Droylsden made sure it was a nervy ending for Boro, Rouse smashing in from the edge of the box to hand the visitors a lifeline.

Despite Rouse halving the deficit, Boro hung on for victory to move into second place, four points behind table-topping Colls, ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Kendal Town.