RADCLIFFE Borough return to home soil on Saturday hoping for a change in fortunes against Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Borough went down 3-0 at Prescot Cables on Tuesday to extend their winless away run this season to eight matches, albeit being forced to play for an hour with 10 men after Ryan Hibbert’s red card for a professional foul.

But boss Paul McGuire was encouraged by the display and commitment of his young side in defeat and hopes they can keep that positive outlook at Stainton Park this weekend.

McGuire told Radcliffe Times: “Luck is against us at the minute and we certainly didn’t have the rub of the green at Prescot.

“We played really well for the first 20 minutes and their keeper pulled off a world-class save from a Dave Sherlock free-kick.

“Then Ryan gave away a penalty and was sent off and that changed the game.

“I cannot credit the lads enough because they continued to show commitment and looked confident, sharp and hungry. Compared to how we played at Burscough last weekend, which was the poorest I have seen in my time at the club, it was completely different.

“They applied themselves well and that is encouraging because it is a long season.

“We lost 3-0 but that does not reflect the performance.

“We are back at home this weekend and have not done too badly there despite the results.”

McGuire insists it is an evolving Boro side made up of young players, and the boss handed debuts to Ramsbottom United duo Sam Cook and Malachi Slaven on Merseyside on Tuesday after they joined 24 hours earlier.

It follows the departures of Matt Landregan, to New Mills, and Mike McGinlay.

The Boro boss added: “Sam looked a good presence up front on Tuesday. He is tall and brings others into play and the signs were good despite him lacking some match sharpness.

“Malachi as well looks to have a good engine, and while they both ran out of steam on Tuesday, I think both players will be good additions for us. As for the departures, we just did not think Matt offers what we need at present and we wish him well as he leaves.

“Mike was injured a while ago and has struggled to shake it off, and with work commitments as well, it just is not for him at the minute.

“But it is a young side we are building and it will take time to find the right group. From what I have seen, we are definitely heading in the right direction.”

Boro will be without new boy Cook on Saturday due to commitments he made before joining, and Danny Lafferty is a doubt as he struggles to overcome a groin problem.