Radcliffe Borough 2 Spenneymoor United 2: BORO lost control of midfield either side of half-time and it ultimately cost them a win, against an adaptable and skilful Spennymoor side that took full advantage of the opportunities accorded to them by an off-colour Boro.

"The first half-hour they looked a bit nervous and I thought if we can get two we can go on and maybe get a couple more,." said disappointed Boro boss, Kevin Glendon.

"But their first goal knocked us back and lifted them, and we began to miss the midfield players that would have made a difference.

"Scott Wilson picked up a knock after just 20 minutes and just about made it to half-time when we had to replace him.

"We also had Richard Battersby out suspended and Andy Heald injured.

"They are all strong, important players, and we really missed them the second half.

"It didn't help conceding the goals the way we did, especially the penalty, I was particularly disappointed with Steve Halford's challenge.

"He just had to stand him up, but instead he made a rash challenge when it wasn't needed and it allowed them back into the game.

"For most of the game we didn't seem to have anyone in midfield who could put their foot on the ball and take control, consequently the two lads up front fed off scraps.

"In particular it was a poor, poor second half performance, and 2-0 up we should have won that game.

"Instead we've ended up with another draw when we should have had all three points."

The ball spent most of the first five minutes up in the air, then the game settled down and both sides began to try and play football, with the visitors managing all to easily to close Boro down in midfield.

With the lively Tom Raw and Andy Brown looking to exploit any gaps in the Boro defence, the visitors made a positive start.

On 14 minutes Danny Brunskill followed a through ball into Danny Hurst's penalty area, and was deprived a goal by the home keeper's brave dive.

Six minutes later the lively Brunskill tried an ambitious bicycle kick, but it went well wide.

Just as Tom Raw and Andy Brown began to exploit gaps in the Boro flanks, the home side took the lead on 24 minutes.

Awarded a free kick a yard outside the right hand corner of the Spennymoor box, debutant Dean Crowther, on loan from Rochdale, caught the ball sweetly, curling it around the Spennymoor wall and beyond the hand of the diving Darren Horrigan and into the bottom corner of the net.

Within five minutes it was 2-0.

A long clearance downfield was nodded on by the reliable Phil Denney to strike partner Steve Foster, and he flew past the last defender and coolly won the one-on-one duel with keeper Horrigan to slot the ball home into the bottom right hand corner.

With their tails up, Boro tried to increase their lead through a series of corners and free kicks, but couldn't find the final touch.

With five minutes to go before the break Spennymoor grabbed the midfield initiative and were rewarded in the 42nd minute.

Brunskill looked up, saw John Toft bisecting Boro's defensive line and his finely weighted through ball was controlled well by Toft, who cut in from the lefthand byline before drilling low past Hurst into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-1.

It could have been all square a minute later, but Brown's header rebounded off Hurst's bar, with the keeper well beaten.

Having lost the midfield impetus just before halftime, Boro failed led to regain it in the second half, and it was to cost them dearly.

Deprived of a decent service both Denney and Foster were left to forage alone up front, while at the other end Hurst had to turn a Brown shot around a post.

Despite having the bulk of possession United were struggling to turn it into goals, but they were given a helping hand in the 84th minute.

Another loan-signing, Steve Halford, looked to be successfully shepherding Brunskill out of the Boro box.

But for some reason was lured into a rash challenge on the United striker a good two feet inside the area, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing straight to the penalty spot.

Brunskill duly converted with the spot kick, and United found themselves all square, and ultimately emerged with a deserved point.

Boro are back in action tonight when they make the short trip over the Pennines to Nethermoor, to take on Guiseley, kick-off 7.45pm.

"Stephen Hill, Andy Heald and Richard Battersby should be back, and Scott should be able to play the whole 90 minutes," said Glendon, targeting a win.

"We're not getting beat, but neither are we winning," said an expectant Glendon.