Nash denied at the death

It was a frustrating night for Curzon Ashton on Tuesday as they let a one goal lead slip late on to draw 1-1 with Radcliffe at the Tameside Stadium. 

Scott Duxbury’s 86th minute header rescued a point for The Boro after a stunning strike from substitute Alex Curran put The Nash in front just after the break. 

Two changes from the weekend saw player-manager Craig Mahon start at right back in place of the injured Ben Darby, while the in-from Curran was rested, and Adam Barton returned to the side in midfield. 

Mahon’s side could have opened the scoring after just seven minutes when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts found himself in behind the Radcliffe defence, but the winger could only blaze his effort over the bar. 

The visitors then hit back, with former Hyde United captain Brad Roscoe glancing a header goalwards only to be denied by the post. 

Early in the second half, the aforementioned Curran made an instant impact after coming on as a sub, scoring the opener just two minutes after entering the action. 

The ball was begging to be hit on the half volley after it sat up on the edge of the box, and the midfielder duly obliged, arrowing it into the top right corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. 

Curran was involved again moments later with his header releasing Stefan Mols in behind, but the recovering Roscoe was on hand to provide a goal saving last ditch tackle to deny the Spaniard a shot on goal. 

Just minutes before the end, a cheap foul from Curzon player-manager Craig Mahon gave the hosts an opportunity to cross in from the left-hand side, an opportunity which they took with both hands. 

As the ball was whipped towards the back post, Boro defender Scott Duxbury rose the highest, powering a header beyond Bobby Jones and drawing his side level. 

Following the stalemate, Mahon told The Reporter, “A draw was probably a fair result”. 

“It’s disappointing to concede so late from a set piece, but they’re a tough team to face. 

“It was our game in hand, and we’ve picked up a point, so it’s not all doom and gloom as much as we wanted three. 

“It’s a step in the right direction and we’re a point closer to where we want to be.”   

The Nash remain in 5th place in the National League North ahead of Saturday’s trip to 8th placed Hereford, where they will be without skipper Jimmy Spencer due to suspension.