DESPITE crashing out of the FA Trophy with defeat to big-spending Darlington 1883 on Saturday, Radcliffe Borough boss Paul McGuire believes the Stainton Park outfit have turned a corner after the transfer embargo imposed on the club was lifted last week.

The ban for failing to pay a £1,800 VAT bill had been in place for more than a month with the Boro boss having to use the same injury-hit squad of players. Delighted McGuire is now looking to strengthen his side as they prepare for a key run of both league and cup fixtures.

“The club have come to an agreement with the HMRC and have put a payment plan in place. As long as the club are following the plan the league are happy and therefore the ban has been lifted.

“It’s great news for us, I feel the club has really turned a corner. We can now liven up the squad and introduce a few new faces, which is a real boost,” said McGuire.

Boro signed five new players on Thursday, including the re-signing of Matt Landregan. The winger made his second debut for the club on Saturday, and McGuire is delighted to have last year’s top scorer back in the team.

“Matt was a free agent after leaving us in the summer,” he said. “He spent pre-season at a couple of different clubs but he wanted to rejoin us.

“Obviously because of the embargo we have been unable to re-sign him until now. It’s great to have him back in the fold.”

Despite Boro goalkeeper Chris Cheetham gifting Terence Gilbraith a first half penalty, and Alan White’s scoring a second goal just minutes later, McGuire was pleased with the way his team performed during the preliminary round exit.

“Darlington came to us with the bit between their teeth after the 1-1 league draw a few weeks ago”, said McGuire. “The first goal was a bit of a rush of blood from Cheets, which was surprising because he has hardly put a foot wrong all season.

“But the lads gathered themselves after the break and reacted well. We created a few chances and kept ourselves in the game. In the end it was a credible defeat,” he said.

Boro return to Evo-Stik Division One North action this weekend with a trip to Lancaster City on Saturday.

The Stainton Park outfit, who remain in 16th position with 13 points from their opening 12 fixtures, head to the mid-table side looking for their first win since August, before hosting struggling New Mills next Tuesday.

“Lancaster have had some mixed results so hopefully if we can equip ourselves well we can come away with a draw,” said McGuire.

“Then we’ve got a run of fixtures that we really should be winning against New Mills and Harrogate.”