FORMER Radcliffe Borough favourite Nick Culkin has challenged the club’s players to repeat the performance they put in against his current side FC United when they return to league duty this weekend.

A crowd of more than 300 spectators watched Boro upset the odds to beat the Evo-Stik Premier side in the first round of the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday night, winning 3-1 on penalties after the tie finished 1-1.

The result was all the more surprising as it followed hot on the heels of a 4-1 defeat at home to Farsley Athletic on Saturday, which ended Boro’s unbeaten start to their home campaign.

“As a Boro fan still, I was a bit frustrated by their performance if I am honest because they played a lot better than I have seen from them so far,” he said.

“I have been to a couple of matches and they were well below the level I witnessed on Tuesday night.

“That often happens when sides come up against FC United, because they are playing in front of a bigger crowd and tend to raise their games.

“I would like to think the Boro lads will show the same level of performance on Saturday.”

Boro dropped to 15th place in the Evo-Stik Division One North table following last weekend’s reverse against third-placed Farsley.

But they have what look to be winnable games this week at 18th-placed Clitheroe on Saturday and home to basement side Padiham next Tuesday.

The Stainton Park outfit may have to go into that match without captain Danny Lafferty, who was taken to hospital with suspected concussion after a clash of heads on Tuesday, and key midfielder Dave Sherlock, who limped off.

Culkin, however, believes there is more than enough talent in the squad to see them climb the table.

“I was really impressed with what I saw and they fully deserved their victory,” he said.

“We were sloppy and let Boro back into it after taking the lead, but they really took the game to us after that and made it a very open match.

“Sadly I wasn’t able to repeat my heroics as a Boro keeper in the shootout, but Chris (Cheetham) did a brilliant job for them in between the sticks and they were worthy winners.”

Culkin was critical of his own display after making a mistake that led to Boro’s equaliser, and said he was now considering retirement.

“That was my competitive debut for FC United and it gave me plenty to think about,” he said.

“The injuries I have had mean I can’t train and because I am not playing regularly I don’t really feel I can perform to the best of my ability anymore.”