BANIM SPARES BORO BLUSHES

Group Four

Radcliffe Borough 1 Marine 1

JODY BANIM rescued ten-man Radcliffe Borough with his ninth goal of the season to salvage a point from this hard-fought, but exciting encounter with Roly Howard's Marine.

The Premier Division side gave Boro a stern test, though manager Kevin Glendon chose to rest a number of his normal first choice players as Boro embarked on their League Cup campaign.

Skipper Mark Dempsey was left out of the 14, while Gus Wilson and Richard Landon were on the bench with Andy Walker, Dave Collins and James Price the changes from the 11 that started the game at Leek last Friday night.

David Bean captained the side in Dempsey's absence and he was given plenty to do marshalling his defence as Marine pushed forward from the off.

In fact, it was Bean who casme to the rescue with a fine, saving tackle on Marine's Kris McHale right in front of goal in the 16th minute as the visitors looked to capitalise on their early pressure.

Neil Black looked to be in with a great chance seven minutes later when he went round Danny Hurst in the Boro goal, but was forced out wide before creating the opening for a shot which Hurst got back in position to block. Marine had the ball in the net a minute later through Eddie Hussin following a John Morgan corner, but referee Griffiths had spotted an infringement and ruled the effort out.

Boro took heart from that let off and began to creep into the game and on 35 minutes Walker was desperately unlucky to see his fierce, low shot clip the outside of as post.

A minute before half-time, Banim had a shot blocked by the keeper. Boro forced a succession of corners in this spell, but could not make the breakthrough.

Glendon rang the changes again at half-time, sending on Gus Wilson and Eamon Kelly for Richard Battersby and Bean.

Kelly made his first big impression on 56 minutes when he had a header cleared off the line by Hussin.

Thirteen minutes later what could have been the game's turning point arrived when Hurst brought Black down in the penalty area and was shown the red card.

Eamon Kelly's spell as an outfield player was shortlived as he donned the goalkeeper's jersey and went between the sticks to face Morgan's penalty kick.

The Marine player gave him no chance and everyone prepared for the worst.

But the Boro faithful need not have worried. The home side protected Kelly in the best way possible, by taking the game to Marine at every opportunity -- and it paid off on 76 minutes when Elliott's right wing cross was headed on by Collins to Banim, who fired in at the far post.

Two minutes later Boro survived strong appeals for another penalty as Hussin went down under Price's challenge in the box.

Banim was replaced by Landon a minute later and Collins kept the pressure on Marine with an 81st minute shot that was saved by Michael Stuart in the Marine goal.

So, a point from their first group game and one that Boro will, no doubt, be more than happy with under the circumstances.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 7; Battersby 6, S Kelly 6, Bean 7, Price 6, Whealing 6; Walker 6, S Wilson 6, E Elliott 6; Collins 5, Banim 6. Substitutes: Wilson (for Bean, 45 mins) 6, E Kelly (for Battersby, 45 mins) 6, Landon (for Banim, 79 mins). Attendance: 129.

Boro will be without Gus Wilson at North Ferriby on Saturday due to a business commitment. Skipper Mark Dempsey is expected to return after being rested against Marine.