RADCLIFFE Borough boss Kevin Glendon praised the display of striker Dennis Sherriff after he stepped in to cover as emergency goalkeeper for Tuesday’s 2-1 FA Cup replay win against Atherton Collieries.

The forward signed from Ashton United in the summer had already been used as goalkeeper this season once, when first-choice Sam Andrew was sent off 12 minutes into the 3-1 defeat at Curzon Ashton last month.

And he was forced to don the gloves again this week when a mix-up over Andrew’s suspension following that dismissal meant he had to sit out the replay.

Andrew will be back for Saturday’s visit of Mossley freeing former Rochdale striker Sherriff to return to his regular role. And Glendon was thankful it did not hamper their display too much as they progressed to the FA Cup first qualifying round.

The Boro boss explained: “There was a mix up with Sam’s suspension.

“We were meant to be playing Hyde in the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday and were told, because of the different association for that tie, he would be eligible and his suspension would be against Mossley this weekend.

“Once we drew the first FA Cup tie at Colls that changed and we could not register anyone else in time so Dennis stepped in and, to be fair, he played well and may take some shifting after his performance!

“Thankfully, even though we went behind, we got through the tie and Sam will be back this weekend.

“It was another bit of bad timing for us with a few others also missing at present, through holidays or injury.”

The victory was Boro’s first of the season and Glendon hopes it will give his young side confidence when they return to Evo-Stik Division One North action on Saturday looking to end a run of four successive defeats. Along with Andrew’s return, Boro will also welcome back last season’s Players’ Player of the Year Matty Chadwick.

Darren Thornton’s suspension was completed before the cup ties and he should make his first league appearance this weekend. But forward Kevin Sanasy remains sidelined for a few more weeks yet with an ankle problem.

Midweek cup matchwinner Chris Thompson is also unavailable against Mossley.