Radcliffe 2
Nantwich Town 2
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Promotion-chasing Nantwich Town have fallen 11 points behind league leaders South Shields after being held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Radcliffe Borough.

The Dabbers, who have a game in hand on the leaders, will now focus on securing a play-off place in the top five which appears a tight race between them, Warrington and Lancaster City.

Radcliffe defied their lowly status in the first half and gave Nantwich plenty to think about, with new keeper Cameron Gregory called into action.

The host’s striker Akpa-Akpro was causing the Dabbers defence problems, and they took the lead on 25 minutes. It was a long throw into the Nantwich box which bounced off a Dabbers defender and past Gregory.

Ten minutes later Gregory produced a fine save from Akpa-Akpro who’s header was destined for the corner before the keeper somehow turned it around the post.

Nantwich created a few half chances themselves but went into half-time trailing 1-0.

After the break, Dave Cooke’s side came out firing on all cylinders. And they were rewarded just three minutes in when a Prince Haywood cross was handled in the area and Nantwich were awarded a penalty. Sean Cooke stepped up and coolly slotted home down the middle to make it 1-1.

Grogan then went close twice in two minutes to regaining the lead for Radcliffe, crashing one header against the bar and a second one was cleared off the line.

But on 63 minutes, former Stoke City star Ricardo Fuller showed class is permanent with a stunning strike to give Nantwich the lead. He took the ball down on his chest and then curled a beauty into the corner passed the Radcliffe keeper, Martin.

But the hosts never gave up and secured a share of the spoils on 71 minutes. Substitute Darren McKnight fired in a powerful left foot shot into the top left corner from just inside the box, giving Gregory no chance.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing minutes but had to settle for one point each.

Match report written by the Nantwich News