WORKINGTON...1 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...1

FOR the second time in five days Boro were presented with a terrible surface on which to play -- and for the second time in five days they were found wanting.

Heavy morning rain turned the Borough Park pitch into a heavy glue pot and the visitors never really came to terms with the conditions.

Manager Kevin Glendon showed his displeasure with Tuesday's performance by leaving Lee Kissock, James Price and Scott Wilson on the bench and drafting in Ian Lunt, Barrie Keeling and Gus Wilson.

Ironically, it was the introduction of the three substitutes in the second half that brought about a change in Boro's fortunes, enabling them to rescue what may yet prove to be a valuable point.

Boro started off brightly, but soon found that the heavy pitch made intricate football impossible. Lunt steered a Tony Whealing cross wide and saw another effort drift agonisingly off target following a neat build-up involving Jody Banim and Eamon Elliott.

However, Workington's more direct approach proved to be more effective and Gus Wilson and Simon Kelly both produced saving tackles on Irving and Johnston.

The home side took the lead on 30 minutes. Danny Hurst blocked Irving's effort, but the ball fell kindly for Robert Ennis, who scored easily.

Workington remained in control until after the break. James Price replaced the ineffective Richard Battersby after 55 minutes and Kissock replaced Banim three minutes later.

Kissock's extra movement gave Borough some direction and when David Bean was moved forward to lead the attack they at least began to look threatening.

Mark Dempsey began to create the chances to go with his work rate and the introduction of Scott Wilson gave the visitors more bite in midfield.

Boro's equaliser came on 75 minutes when Bean controlled a lofted through ball from Simon Kelly to beat Woolfe with a low shot.

The goal gave Boro the lift they needed and two minutes later they were denied what looked a legitimate winner. Kissock's shot hit a post and Bean followed up to turn the ball home.

Boro's celebrations were cut short however as the linesman flagged for offside.

Boro now scented victory. Kissock broke through, but lacked support and Whealing had a goal-bound shot blocked.

At the other end, Price saved the day with a superb cover tackle when Irvine was through on goal.

Boro's best chance fell to Kissock with 10 minutes left, but the substitute miskicked with the goal at his mercy.

Boro finished the stronger, but their inability to come to terms with the heavy pitch in the first half cost them dear as Workington grabbed a welcome point in their fight against relegation.

BORO: Hurst 7, Battersby 6, Whealing 6, S Kelly 6, Bean 7, Dempsey 6, Elliott 6, Keeling 6, Lunt 6, Banim 6, G Wilson 8. Substitutes: Kissock (for Banim, 58 mins) 7, Price (for Battersby, 55 mins) 7, S Wilson (for Lunt, 67 mins) 7.