A missed penalty deep into added time denied Radcliffe maximum points at Scunthorpe United after a fantastic display at the Attis Arena, earning a draw that shouldn't be abhorred, despite the opportunity for more, writes Kieran Wilson.
Substitute Anthony Dudley had the chance to seal a famous win at the National League North leaders after fellow sub Mo Doro has been fouled in the area only for home keeper Ross Fitzsimons to save his spot kick.
Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson made two changes to the side that were defeated in midweek against Buxton at the Neuven Stadium, Brad Jackson and Jordan Hulme replaced Jamie Morgan and Doro in the starting team, making their 16th and 14th appearances of the season respectively.
Radcliffe started the afternoon with a spring in their step, taking control of possession and creating numerous half chances to open the scoring. Nicky Adams' delivery from a set piece inside four minutes, as well as Josh Hancock's through ball into Tunde Owolabi moments later looked to create an early opportunity, but neither could be taken advantage of.
With nine minutes on the clock, Jackson managed to dig a cross into a promising position for Owolabi to flick towards the target, but his effort was knocked straight down the barrel of Fitzsimons who gathered the ball with ease.
As the time ticked on, Rick Smith had to stay alert to thwart Scunthorpe from generating any attacking pressure with the hosts growing into the game. After 22 minutes, Callum Roberts cut onto his favoured foot looking to take aim just inside the box, Radcliffe's number four was quick to deny the oncoming player, ricocheting possession and winning his side a goal kick.
With a gilt-edged chance, Owolabi should've done better with his effort just before the half-hour mark. Adams' corner landed into a pocket of space for the striker and his glanced header bounced wide of the target from inside the six-yard area.
Jordan Hulme's blazed attempt on the turn and Brad Nicholson's glove stinger from range, tipped wide by Mateusz Hewelt, concluded the first-half opportunities for both sides with a chance apiece, and the whistle to begin the break blew after two additional minutes at the end of the half.
Roberts' 25-yard free kick for the home side was tipped behind by Hewelt moments after the restart, before Smith's header from a corner was cleared by a Scunthorpe defender as the ball flew goalwards with Fitzsimons well beaten.
From a Scunthorpe attack, the Boro countered with pace and power leading to Hulme striking on the right side of the box which was blocked on its travels for a Radcliffe corner, coming to nothing after 58 minutes.
As the game entered the final 20 of the 90, the hosts were on the charge and from a crazy goalmouth scramble, they couldn't break the deadlock. Roberts' set piece was delivered towards the back post and a number of claret and blue shirts attempted to turn home from close range, but the Radcliffe bodies defended resolutely before thumping clear with relief.
Doro and Tom Walker entered the fray in place of Nicky Adams and Josh Hancock, who'd both been brilliant in the 81 minutes they were on the field, bringing new energy to the team as Radcliffe looked to keep their clean sheet intact.
Moments into the additional time added on at the end of the 90, the first of those two substitutes gained the Boro a golden opportunity to win maximum points at the Attis Arena, as Doro was brought to ground inside the penalty area.
However, in the third minute of added time, Dudley stepped up but saw his effort saved down to Fitzsimons' right-hand side, palming the ball around the post and out for a corner, and after numerous set pieces came to nothing, the referee blew the full-time whistle with the scoreline all square.
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