Radcliffe Boro... 3, Witton Albion... 4 (after extra time)

AFTER the heroics of Saturday when they fought back from 2-0 down, Boro three times found themselves a goal adrift against Witton Albion before finding an equaliser, but couldn't cap their display with victory.

The original league fixture against Gretna was postponed to make way for the Challenge Cup replay against Witton - and the fans could not have been disappointed with what was served up.

On-loan striker Joe Connor was again missing so he wouldn't be cup tied for his current club Winsford United, so Boro reverted to their 4-4-2 formation with Paul Allen and Tony Carroll spearheading the attack. David Bean deputised for Alex Jones in the centre of defence and Gary Henshaw made his first start of the season in midfield.

Witton striker Darren Twigg opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a bullet header that gave Steve Berryman no chance. The lead was short-lived however, as the ball was worked to Paul Allen from a throw-in on the left. His turn and shot proved too good for visiting 'keeper Scott Healey.

Witton again took the lead on the half hour when Twigg laid the ball off for Marc Hawkes who was arriving at pace. He didn't even have to break stride as he volleyed the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Once again though, Boro showed they can never be written off as Carroll received the ball, rather fortuitously, from an attempted chip by Allen before smashing it past Healey.

Twigg grabbed his second of the night on the hour, taking his tally for the season to six and a Carroll penalty, his second in two games, levelled the scores for the third time on 67 minutes. Amazingly, the rest of normal time produced no more goals.

But Boro's resolve was finally broken in the 10th minute of extra time as Eddie Bishop slammed home the winner from close range.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.