RADCLIFFE maintained their unbeaten away record in 2024 with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Ilkeston Town, writes Kieran Wilson.

Goals from Lois Maynard and Anthony Dudley - as well as a solid display from the defence - made sure Boro came away from the New Manor Ground with three points and maintain their healthy lead at the top of the NPL Premier Division.

Two changes were made to the team that came away as winners against Marine last weekend, Josh Hancock and Anthony Dudley both returned to the starting line-up in place of Ewan Bange and Matt Sargent.

An even first half saw the two outfits separated by Lois Maynard's goal in the 28th minute. Both teams were then reduced to ten men for the second half after Will Tomlinson and Luke Cox were shown straight red cards for an incident in the tunnel.

An explosive start to the second half followed, as both sides scored within four minutes. Ilkeston's Connor Dixon thumped home an equaliser, but Anthony Dudley quickly restored the Boro's lead with a well-placed strike from the edge of the area.

Ian Deakin's team were dangerous from minute one. Full-back Larell King's long throw provided countless opportunities to create danger in the Radcliffe box, but despite the potential to create something meaningful, the back three stood tall and cleared any early threats.

Inside the opening five minutes, the Boro would have gone a goal ahead if not for the assistant's offside flag. Jordan Hulme and Hancock linked up inside the area, but the latter had strayed slightly beyond the last man.

On the ten-minute mark, Ilkeston had their first real sight at goal via a delivery from the left side which was well blocked by Rick Smith. Dixon was first to the second ball but the Ilkeston midfielder was unable to hit the target, as he dragged his shot past the far post.

Tom Curson's tame effort that landed in the gloves of Mateusz Hewelt was all that came from a period of sustained pressure that included three corners, as the hosts searched for the opening goal in the game.

Moments after Lois Maynard went down to receive treatment for an off the ball injury, the defender got his name on the scoresheet. Up from the back for a corner, the centre back's initial effort was blocked but at the second attempt, he managed to guide the ball into the corner of Matt Yates' goal to make it 1-0 to the visitors after 29 minutes.

With one final opportunity of the half, James Perch rolled a ball across goal which was met by a powerful strike from Lindon Meikle, and with excellent positioning, Smith was able to get his body in the way to block the ball on its travels.

Just after the half-time whistle, both sides were reduced to ten following an incident near the tunnel which resulted in Willem Tomlinson and Luke Cox being dismissed, turning the heat up on a fairly calm 45 minutes at that stage.

Only two minutes after the restart, Dixon restored parity for Ilkeston to open the half in the best possible fashion. An accurate volley picked out the top corner from within the 18-yard area, beyond the reach of Hewelt between the Radcliffe sticks.

However, within a minute of the equaliser Radcliffe retook the lead in ruthless fashion. An intricate attack down the right side that involved Jude Oyibo and Dudley was rewarded with a goal, as the number 7 dribbled past two defenders before he curled the ball into the far corner with his unfavored foot, putting the Boro in the driving seat once more.

Half-time substitute Scott Duxbury created a sight at goal as he cut in from the left wing, but his shot was not on his preferred foot and sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

After a double Radcliffe change in the 71st minute that saw Sean Tse and Ewan Bange replace Hancock and Dudley, Ilkeston almost drew level through Curson who battled past Duxbury but dragged his final shot wide from close range.

Radcliffe continued to attack the home side's box and Oyibo managed to unpick the defence with seven minutes to go, the winger wriggled past his man and into the box but his cross was sent behind for a corner at the final moment by the outstretched leg of a red shirt.

In stoppage time, Curson won a free kick on the edge of the box to give Radcliffe one last test with a dangerous set piece to defend. Alex Marshall's powerful strike beat the wall but was well matched by Hewelt, the shot stopper managed to push the ball to safety and confirm all three points were coming back at Manchester.

Boro are back in action on Saturday when they they host mid-table Morpeth Town.

Radcliffe: Hewelt, Jackson, Oyibo, Maynard (Duxbury 45'), Thornley, Smith, Dudley (Tse 71'), Adams, Hulme, Tomlinson, Hancock (Bange 71')

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