RADCLIFFE Borough maintained their unbeaten home record on Tuesday night with an accomplished display against one of the Evo-Stik Division One North title favourites.

Manager Paul McGuire rated the performance of his under-strength side as one of the best since he took over as coach.

And he believes, but for some loose marking at a corner, they would have had a fully-deserved victory.

“Darlington represented a big test for us as they have been tipped for promotion, but we were the ones playing all the football,” he said.

“They were very direct and lumped it forward at every opportunity, but we got the ball down and basically played them off the park.

“We created loads of chances going forward, Jack Hindle missed a couple and Elliott Rokka hit the keeper after being put through one-one-one.

“At the other end, the lads were really focused and switched on for the whole game. It was just a shame that one of our defenders lost their runner for Darlington’s equaliser and they punished us.

“But Darlington failed to carve out any chances from open play, so we have got to be happy with that.”

Chris Mason put Boro in front after 52 minutes, powering a shot under the Darlington keeper after pouncing on a cut-back from Rokka.

But Darlington’s Grame Armstrong rose highest to head home the equaliser from a corner on 72 minutes to leave Boro with just a point, but still unbeaten following four games at home.

Their record away from home is in stark contrast, with Boro yet to win on the road after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Kendal Town.

The scoreline belied what was actually an even contest, with Hindle equalising an early Warren Beattie opener and the two sides remaining on level terms until the 65th minute, when Kieren Pickup put Kendal back in front.

Boro were then picked off as they pushed for the equaliser, conceding two late goals in the 88th and 90th minutes.