Following an emphatic midweek victory over South Shields on Tuesday night, the Boro couldn’t claim back-to-back wins at the Neuven Stadium as two second-half goals from James Spencer handed Curzon Ashton all three points.

An unchanged eleven started the afternoon’s action the better of the two teams, with Anthony Dudley, Tom Walker and a number of set pieces providing Radcliffe with opportunities to break the deadlock.

The visitors began to grow into the game more as the minutes ticked on, and saw an effort tipped over the bar by Mateusz Hewelt as Will Hayhurst struck from distance.

Curzon Ashton missed a gilt-edged chance on the 40-minute mark which left the away side with their head in their hands as to how they hadn’t gotten their noses in front. Possession was at the feet of Stefan Mols on the right-hand channel before the Spaniard pulled the ball back for Isaac Buckley-Ricketts who fluffed his shot when he looked destined to score.

After entering the break level, Radcliffe were reduced to ten men nine minutes into the second half as Brad Jackson’s challenge on Hayhurst was judged to have been a second bookable offence, putting the Boro in a tough position with over half an hour remaining.

Curzon Ashton then punished the hosts moments later by getting their noses in front, making the most of the man advantage almost instantly. The ball was set up nicely by Buckley-Ricketts into space for Spencer to take a first-time shot and fire beyond the reach of Hewelt from 25 yards out, leaving the Radcliffe goalkeeper with absolutely no chance as his effort nestled into the far corner.

Two minutes later, Hulme gained a penalty for Radcliffe after being brought to ground inside the box, giving Walker the chance to level the terms with his seventh goal of the campaign and he tucked the ball into the back of the net to restore parity for the Boro.

The two teams applied pressure onto the opposition defence at both ends of the field in an effort to grab all three points in the final quarter of the afternoon, but the crucial moment would come with 10 minutes of the 90 remaining, as Curzon Ashton netted their second.

Luis Lacey’s shot from inside the six-yard area ricocheted off the post after connecting with Conor Falls’ cross, and the rebound found Spencer in space to bury the ball home on the follow up, sealing his brace.

Attacking changes gave Radcliffe added energy in the final moments of the game, but their attempts weren’t enough to create drama late on and the away side managed to see out the game with the scoreline in their favour.

The Boro travel to Darlington this Tuesday night as we look to get back to winning ways at Blackwell Meadows.

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