A GOAL apiece in the first half was enough to ensure that neither Radcliffe nor FC United left the Neuven Stadium empty handed.

On a gruellingly-hot late summer’s day, both teams battled hard but neither team was able to find a winner.

The home team came out of the traps flying, and an early penalty claim for a foul on Elliott Rokka was waived away by referee Mark Reeves.

But Boro did not have to wait long for their first goal of the season as, in the 13th minute, Matthew Wolfenden opened his account for Radcliffe.

Rokka’s shot was saved and a skewed clearance by a defender saw the ball fall kindly for Wolfenden who slotted in.

Anton Forrester went close to a second goal, his finish blocked behind for a corner.

Against the run of play Regan Linney hit FC United’s equaliser, a neat finish into the bottom corner.

In the second half Linney brought a fine save from Boro keeper Ollie Martin and Liam Ellis’ first-time effort came crashing back off the bar.

Each side had a chance in stoppage time but, the Rebels’ Niall Rodney was inches away from a tap-in and Boro’s Ellis was narrowly off-target when he had the chance of a debut goal.

A hopeful long ball was pumped forward and United keeper Patrick Wharton misjudged the flight of it.

The ball flew over his head and Ellis was on hand to meet it, but his finish slid agonisingly into the side netting, meaning honours ended even.