REPORT: RADCLIFFE 1-1 UNITED

Prince Mancinelli scored in the 100th minute as we claimed a point against league champions Radcliffe FC at the Neuven Stadium. In the end a point was enough to ensure The Ambers secure their step 3 status for another season!

It was United who started the brighter of the two sides with both Matt Thornhill and Josh Barnes putting great crosses into the box but know one was there to tap home. Rev James produced the first shot on target for The Ambers but Rick Smith was on hand to deflect James' shot over the bar for a corner!

Radcliffe struggled to carve anything out in the first half as they were met with a stubborn United defence who dealt with any danger that came their way. It was Brad Jackson who had the best chance for the hosts but his shot was well saved by Kieran Preston.

It was the league champions who came out in the second half with more intensity as they started to carve out the majority of the chances. Substitute Jamie Morgan found himself in behind the Basford backline put Preston was equal to Morgan's shot.

Jordan Hulme opened the scoring on the hour mark when Isaac Modi threaded a ball through to Hulme who rolled his effort into the far corner of the net out of Preston's reach. Radcliffe almost doubled their lead 10 minutes later but Morgan couldn't quite get the right connection from Jude Oyibo's cross to divert it into the net.

United was heading for defeat but had one last chance from a free kick to claim a point which was only needed to survive another season in step 3 following results elsewhere... Thornhill's free kick found the head of Fenton who managed to divert it goal bound and Prince Mancinelli managed to bundle the ball over the line to send the United fans and bench into jubilation as The Ambers managed to secure step 3 status for another season!

STARTING XI: Kieran Preston, Victor Nirennold, Henri Wilder, Prince Mancinelli, Toby Ritzema, Kieran Fenton, Rev James, Matt Thornhill (c), Remaye Campbell (Jack Thomas 59'), Jack Lewis (Jordan Fankwe 68'), Josh Barnes (Kane Richards 84')

SUBS NOT USED: Dacres, Holmes

ATT: 2351 (17 away)