A MUCH-needed victory over Oldham Borough in the quarter-finals of the Manchester Premier Cup on Monday night eased the pressure on struggling Radcliffe following defeat in the league at Warrington Town on Saturday.

Boro should have breezed past a side lying at the foot of the North West Counties First Division, but could have been made to pay for a succession of missed chances.

Ryan Hibbert blazed a shot over the bar in the 10th minute before Elliott Rokka fired an effort straight at Oldham keeper Adam Reid after being put clean through by Dave Sherlock.

Captain Danny Lambert was then forced to clear the ball off the line at the other end.

The scores remained level as half-time approached before Rokka had the ball in the net.

His first effort was ruled out for offside, but the striker finally made the breakthrough for Boro two minutes before the interval after striking home Sam Cook's ball from 10 yards out.

Paul McGuire's men missed a succession of chances after the break to put the game beyond Oldham.

Chris Mason came closest to doubling the advantage on the hour, but his shot cannoned back off the post.

The striker then had a penalty saved in the 73rd minute after he was brought down in the box and again hit the woodwork as the clock ticked down.

Thankfully, one goal was enough for Boro to make the final four.

The Stainton Park men were not so fortunate last weekend after being given a lesson in finishing at Warrington Town.

Their 3-0 defeat to the FA Cup heroes, who recently beat Exeter in the first round proper, left Boro just two places above the Evo-Stik Division One North drop zone and still without an away win this season.

Cook had a header cleared off the line for Boro in the first half and Rokka missed a golden chance to score early in the second half.

But Boro old boy Steve Foster put the visitors ahead almost immediately after that and two quick goals from Ashley Ruane wrapped up the points for Warrington inside the hour.

Radcliffe stopper Chris Cheetham then pulled off a fine reaction save late in the game to keep the score down.