AFTER drawing only two of their first 25 league matches this season, Witton Albion have since tied in three of the past five.

They twice led at Radcliffe on Saturday, only for Matthew Davies' double to prevent them making the most of slip-ups by rivals above them in the table.

With a dozen matches left, they can ill-afford too many repeats if they are to keep alive faint hopes of challenging for a promotion play-offs place.

Rob Hopley put the visitors in front after seven minutes at the weekend, diverting Joe Newton's shot past Boro goalkeeper Chris Cheetham from close range.

The home team, still short of points to secure their spot in the Northern Premier League's Division One North for another year, made sure of a close contest.

Davies' shot lacked the power to trouble Albion custodian Owen Evans, while Jody Banim volleyed off-target.

And a leveller arrived for the hosts early in the second period, when a Davies drive from distance flew into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Witton, who included new recruit Carl Peers from the start in midfield, responded when Toby Mullarkey headed too high from a corner.

They edged ahead for a second time though on the hour, when Tom Schofield's rising shot from inside the penalty area left Cheetham with no chance of making a save.

Davies needed only five minutes to restore parity, this time bending an effort beyond Albion's net-minder to make it 2-2.

Danny Johnson's men ought to have scored again when Banim had a clear sight of goal, but he blazed over.

A draw leaves Witton still in 14th place, 10 points adrift of the top five.

They host fifth-placed Burscough at Wincham Park this weekend, then head to Clitheroe next Tuesday.

Boro | Cheetham (GK), Middleton, Forbes, Valentine, Lafferty, Bainbridge (Walters 12), Crook, Davies, McMahon (Hulme 82), Banim, Rokka Subs not used Parrella, Hindle, Landregan Goals Davies 50, 65

Witton | Evans (GK), Gardner, Dawson, Wilson, Mullarkey, Peers, Newton (Owens 70), Schofield, Hopley, Mason (Parker 86), Andrews Subs not used Noone, Chrisokhou, Garner (GK) Goals Hopley 7, Schofield 60

Attendance 152