Radcliffe Borough 0 Witton Albion 0

REPRESENTATIVES from Tottenham Hotspur, Crewe Alexandra and Macclesfield, along with more familiar faces such as Bury chairman Terry Robinson and Eric Whalley of Accrington Stanley, were amongst the spectators watching this one, writes STEVE BOTT.

Exactly what they were expecting to see was anybody's guess. Leading scorer Neill Hardy, classy defender Simon Kelly and highly-rated young goalkeeper Danny Hurst are all being talked about at the moment.

Hardy has been on trial at Bury recently, Hurst trained with Manchester City earlier this season and many people have wondered why Kelly has not attracted interest from elsewhere before now.

Sadly, though the game was lively enough, Boro, for once, were found lacking in the creative department and, consequently, there was precious little forthcoming up front.

Hardy had an off day, his partner Carter couldn't find the touch that has brought him a couple of goals in previous games and it wasn't until manager Kevin Glendon sent on strikers Lee Kissock and Dave Collins off the bench that the home team began to look anything like a threat to the visitors' goal. Even then they still fell short as Boro produced their first goalless draw of the season.

There were plus points though and a reasonable defensive display, coupled with another excellent show from Hurst, were two as Boro were forced to settle for a point.

Andy Walker showed yet another string to his bow as he scurried about at the back in a central defensive role. The former Leigh RMI man has certainly earned that sometimes unwanted tag of utility player as he has filled in admirably at full back, on the left side of midfield and now at centre back since arriving at Stainton Park.

The first half produced precious little in terms of goal chances. Hardy had the first when he shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area just past the far post.

Witton's experienced skipper Charlie Boyd then wasted a couple of free-kicks before shooting just wide from the edge of the box.

Hardy, fresh from his experience on the bench for Bury's first team last Saturday, looked to have a golden opportunity to open the scoring when the ball spun into his path right in front of goal on 38 minutes following a Tony Whealing cross.

Sadly, the 21-goal striker didn't catch the ball right this time and Dean Greygoose in the Witton goal gathered easily.

Boro's Paul Scholes-lookalike, Scott Wilson, picked up a booking in the 41st minute for a foul, a case of one too many for the ginger-haired midfielder, who had been warned earlier by referee Graham Salisbury after a far more serious-looking late challenge. Witton had their best spell after the break and the Boro goal led a charmed life as the visitors, led by Boyd and Eddie Bishop, peppered the target.

Hurst produced two fine saves, a deflection stopped another goal-bound Witton effort and there was the inevitable scrambled clearance from in front of goal as Boro fought a desperate rearguard action.

Glendon spotted the danger signs and sent on Kissock and Collins on the hour for skipper Mark Dempsey and Carter.

Eignt minutes after entering the action, Collins came close to breaking the deadlock when he took the ball towards the Witton area and tried a shot from distance that went just over the bar.

Boro had a let-off when Bishop could only manage a weak shot from close range three minutes later and then Hurst saved magnificently on his line from Boyd to deny the visitors the victory they just about deserved.

It's to be hoped they can put on a show in their final game against champions Bradford Park Avenue at Stainton Park tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

It's the perfect opportunity to back up all those claims that they could have been going up themselves this season, if the league had been the only item on their agenda.

The club's Player of the Season awards night follows on in the Social Club from 7.30pm.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 8, Battersby 6, Whealing 6, S Kelly 7, Walker 7, Dempsey 6, E Kelly 6, Wilson 6, Carter 5, Hardy 5, Price 7. Substitutes: Collins (for Dempsey, 60 mins) 6, Kissock (for Carter, 60 mins) 6, Edwards (for E Kelly, 83 mins). Referee: Mr G Salisbury (Preston). Attendance: 200.