RADCLIFFE FC and Leicester City Under-23s played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Neuven Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Both sides had a man sent off in the early stages as both Danny Mitchley and Ali Regba were sent for an early shower.

Rick Smith netted for Jon Macken’s side before Tyrese Shade equalised for the young Foxes late in first-half added time.

The game had some early drama when, on two minutes, the referee had taken his card out of his pocket twice.

An altercation in the box saw Mitchley and Regba handed a red cards.

After a large break in play both sides resettled into the game.

It was Boro who looked to settle the quickest. Rick Smith rose highest at the back post and headed home to give Macken’s men the lead after 17 minutes.

Moments later it was very nearly all square when Calvin Ughelumba forced a save from Boro’s number one, Ollie Martin.

On 29 minutes, it was very nearly two for Boro, Harry Winter forcing a great save from Viktor Johansson in the Leicester goal from 30 yards.

Despite Boro’s lead it was the young Foxes who were having the better of the chances. Callum Wright forced a smart save onto the post from Martin before later collecting under pressure from the Leicester forwards.

Late into additional time the young Foxes equalised. Shade left Martin helpless with a brilliant first touch before slotting home into the empty net after a smart ball forward.

On the hour mark Ughelumba had a great opportunity to give the visitors the lead but his effort flew over the bar from range.

Boro substitute Matthew Wolfenden had a chance to give his side the lead. He was caught in two minds after a brilliant ball from Tom Brown.

Seven minutes from time Leicester nearly took the lead for the first time. A late scramble in the Boro box ended with the ball being collected by Martin.

Foxes substitute Connor Tee saw two set-pieces fly narrowly wide of the Boro goal and it was end-to-end stuff with just moments left in the game.

Elliot Rokka looked to be in before the assistant’s flag was raised and moments later Dennis Gyamfi danced into the Boro box before forcing another save from Martin at the front post.

Despite the early and late drama it was honours even between the two sides.