RADCLIFFE Borough manager Paul McGuire blasted his side's costly defensive errors and lack of clinical finishing as the strugglers crashed to a 2-1 defeat at basement club Padiham on Saturday.

Now the Stainton Park boss is urging his fourth-from-bottom team to step up a gear in their efforts to avoid relegation from Evo-Stik Division One North.

"The players need to step up to the plate now," he said.

"We can't have six or seven out of 10 performances any more, we need eight or nine out of 10.

"Because of the situation we find ourselves in the players are going into games a bit tense and a bit nervy.

"There is a lack of quality and concentration at both ends of the pitch and a fair share of bad luck too.

"The defending has not been good enough. It's too edgy and we are not clearing our lines, while up front we are creating loads of chances but we are just not clinical enough or ruthless enough in the forward areas."

Boro, who are currently six points above the drop zone having played more games than their nearest rivals Prescot Cables and New Mills, are in serious danger of being dragged into the relegation mire following their fourth consecutive defeat at Padiham.

It is a winless run that stretches back to December 6, but McGuire is confident his side have enough in the tank to halt the descend, starting with the visit of mid-table Kendal Town on Saturday.

With central defenders Richard Smith and Alec Mudimu suspended for the Stainton Park game, and with no other natural centre-backs at his disposal, McGuire will again be forced to shuffle his pack.

"It's another hurdle we have to overcome," he said.

"Kendal are a good team and it will be tough but I know we've got the players to put on the sort of display that wins matches.

"It would have been great if we could have won last week and stuck some distance between us and the bottom three, especially because the two teams below us also lost, but it's just not going for us at the moment.

"We are still only fourth from bottom but we are absolutely in a relegation fight and we've just go to stand up and be counted."

The Friends of the Boro will be holding a supporters' meeting in the Legends Bar on Thursday, February 5 at 7.30pm. All supporters are invited to attend.