Radcliffe Borough assistant manager Paul McGuire believes the Stainton Park outfit are now “on the right track” to remain in Evo-Stik Division One North.

The strugglers picked up three vital points against Clitheroe on Saturday with Simon Carden’s 87th-minute winner.

They are now three points clear of the relegation zone, having played two games less than second-bottom Wakefield.

McGuire said: “I did feel that if we won against Clitheroe at home it would put us on the right track.

“We dominated the game and we were by far the better team. “We brought Simon Carden off the bench with 15 minutes remaining and he scored a classy goal. “There was a bit of a goalmouth scramble, the ball came out to him on the edge of the box and he just chipped it over the goalkeeper.

“It seemed to take an age to get the goal but when it happened there was plenty of wild celebrations.”

The result means Boro are now level on 31 points with Prescot Cables. However, they could leapfrog both New Mills and Padiham with wins over promotion-chasing Darlington 1884 and Padiham this week.

“We’ve put ourselves in a really good position. “It’s come from hard work, effort, grit and determination and I think we’re looking good going into the remaining fixtures.

“I think Padiham and New Mills are both still in with a shout of being relegated.”

A confident McGuire was delighted with his side’s performance against mid-table Clitheroe.

He said: “The performance was really good, we took it to them and we were on the front foot. “There was plenty of decent passing play, we looked solid at the back and we gained a good clean sheet.”

McGuire was particularly pleased with the performance of young goalkeeper Chris Cheetham and forward Bevan Burey.

“I think I would put the three points down to Chris. He made a fantastic double save on 75 minutes that actually kept us in the game. “He’s learning a lot and he’s learning the hard way because it’s not nice being in a relegation dogfight when you are a young keeper and knowing that any mistake will cost you.

“A clean sheet against Clitheroe was exactly what we needed and that’s exactly what he gave us so hats off to him.

“Bevan was fantastic again for us. The young lad led the line and was always a threat with his pace. He was outstanding.”

The Stainton Park side are at Darlington 1884 on Saturday before hosting Padiham on Tuesday.

“If we could pick up four points from those two games that would be absolutely amazing,” said McGuire.