Radcliffe Borough...1 Belper Town...1 by Steve Bott
MARK DEMPSEY made a rare appearance to rescue a point for Radcliffe Borough as their search for that elusive first home league win of the season goes on.
The influential midfielder has been limited in the number of appearances he has been able to make for the Boro this season because of his job as a coach with Manchester United's Football Academy.
But he played a valuable part after coming on as a second half substitute, stepping up to convert the penalty that earne d Boro a point.
"I sent Mark on just to try and give us a bit of a spark. He showed character to take the penalty, but I am not sure whether he is going to be available for our game against Leek tonight."
Glendon won't be taking any further disciplinary action against another of his midfielders, Scott Wilson, who was sent off late in the game against Belper.
Wilson had been suspended for a week following a dismissal earlier in the season, but Glendon took a more lenient view this time.
"He was a bit unfortunate. Scott went in to try and sort things out and he got a right clout from their lad. When you get punched you do something to defend yourself. It was not a lack of discipline on Scott's part. It was just one of those situations."
The first 45 minutes of Saturday's game was largely uneventful with Leroy Chambers showing up well for Belper and Martin Diggle doing well in Radcliffe's defence.
Chambers rattled the bar with a 30-yard effort, while the home team's best chance came when Jody Banim volleyed one over.
After the break the visitors took the lead through substitute Blake Hogan in the 76th minute. A cross was headed on and Hogan dived in to head home at the far post.
Boro improved when Dempsey came on. Barrie Keeling glanced a header wide and the home side equalised when Ian Lunt latched onto a through ball and was nudged over in the area. Dempsey converted from the spot.
The game exploded in the final minutes when players from both sides were involved in a fracas which resulted in Wilson and Belper's Kennedy being sent off.
Belper had a couple of late chances, but the points were eventually shared.
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 8, Battersby 7, Diggle 7, Spooner 7, Price 6, Whealing 7, Kelly 7, Wilson 7, Elliott 6, Banim 6, Hardy 6. Substitutes: Keeling, Lunt, Dempsey.
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