TWO own goals led to the spoils being shared in this entertaining UniBond first division encounter but the point gained was enough to lift Chorley back into fourth place.

It was an ex-Magpie, Simon Kay, who put his old club back on terms after Chorley centre-back Lee Southwood unwittingly diverted a shot beyond keeper and boss Mark Molyneaux, both goals coming in a four-minute spell in the first half.

In a bright start David Eatock forced a good, diving save from Borough keeper Danny Hurst and later both Lee Wilkinson and Ian Barker had efforts charged down in the Radcliffe box.

But as Borough came more into the picture Niell Hardy, now back at Radcliffe after a spell at Stockport County last term, fired just over the bar before having a big hand in the opening goal on 33 minutes.

His quickly-taken angled shot took a wicked deflection off Southwood and looped into the net beyond the stranded Molyneaux.

Chorley were soon level, when in a quick breakaway Anthony Hogan threaded the ball past Hurst and Kay, in a vain attempt to clear, could only help it into the net.

The Magpies did well to finish the half on terms as Molyneaux dived to keep out a Simon Kelly strike and Southwood made a vital goalmouth clearance from Richard Battersby.

The second half followed a similar pattern with escapes at both ends.

Jody Banim's full-blooded drive hit Molyneaux and then bounced behind off the Chorley bar, while Radcliffe had a let-off as Paul Varley's dangerous cross ran along the crossbar and out of play.

Banim blasted over the top from a Hardy pass and as Chorley pressed in the closing stages Darren Emmett had a shot blocked and Southwood rushed in to meet a Barker corner only to head too high.

The draw was a fitting result and pleased Chorley more than Radcliffe, seeking the confidence boost of a first home league victory ahead of the visit of Chester City in the FA Cup next Saturday.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...1 CHORLEY...1