Howson strikes again for Radcliffe
4:58am Monday 31st March 2008
BASEMENT club Radcliffe Borough moved to within two points of Division One North safety after a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Clitheroe.
Craig Sargeson gave the home side the lead on 32 minutes after Scott Readhead's cross from the left had been helped on by Karl Lomax.
But Radcliffe delivered an almost instant reply when prolific striker Steve Howson latched on to a long ball from goalkeeper Phil Priestley to rifle home his 32nd goal of the season for Peter Coyne's men.
Both sides struggled to make inroads on a mudbath of a pitch, with Sargeson having the best chance to win the match when he rounded the keeper but shot straight into the side netting to keep alive the Stainton Park outfit's hopes of avoiding the drop.
FC United were guilty of missing a great chance to cut the gap at the top of the table when they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Lancaster City.
With leaders Skelmersdale United only drawing, the fourth-placed Rebels were on course for a decisive victory in the title race after coming from behind with goals from Adam Carden and Jamie Baguley either side of half time at Gigg Lane.
But Karl Marginson's in-form side, who trail Skelmersdale by eight points with four games in hand and with the pair set to meet on Wednesday, were left to rue a missed opportunity to gain ground when they conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to the mid-table visitors.