ATHERTON Collieries secured a 1-1 draw against Radcliffe – their fifth consecutive league stalemate – in an entertaining fixture under the floodlights at the Skuna Stadium.

A breathless first half saw Arran Pettifer’s wonder-strike cancel out Jake Thompson’s opener, with Colls perhaps unlucky not to take all three points in the second half.

The visitors took the lead after 25 minutes, striker Thompson firing into the bottom corner after being played in by Courtney Meppen-Walter. 

Colls replied less than a minute later however, with Pettifer scoring his first goal for the club in superb style with a dipping 30-yard strike into the top corner to level the game.

Taking confidence from their equaliser, the stripes ramped up the pressure before the break, going closest through a Marcus Cusani cross diverted behind by ex-Colls man Rick Smith.

After a spell of Radcliffe dominance following the break, Colls fought their way back on top and saw a quick trio of half-chances spurned by Scott Bakkor and Gaz Peet.

Colls’ best chance to take the lead came from a whipped-in free kick headed back across goal by Clive Smith, with Meppen-Walter inches from turning the ball into his own goal.

Energetic forward Jesse Ebosele came into the fray and almost scored with his first touch from the bench, lashing his powerful effort narrowly over the bar at the near post.

With minutes left on the clock, Pettifer worked his way into the box and fired the ball across the face of goal, but no one was there to tap home for Colls.