PERFORMANCES are more important than results, that's the message from Radcliffe Borough's new manager Bill Prendergast as he looks to begin a new era at Stainton Park.

The former Crewe Alexandra academy director celebrated his first game in charge with a 3-1 victory over Kendal Town on Saturday - Boro's first league win since beating Droylsden on December 6.

But the new chief was quick to praise former boss Paul McGuire, who departed the club last week following a year in charge, insisting the win was as much down to his hard work than anything he had brought to the club.

"The hand over from Paul McGuire was seamless," he said.

"Everyone has been so nice since I arrived and with the help of Paul, scout John Grant, chairman Bernard Manning and secretary Ric Fielding we got the win, which is great.

"In my team talk I said to the lads 'Paul has done a great job, he's done everything he can to do and you owe him one.' And that's how we did it.

"For a team, who haven't been on top form, to have that sort of spirit is excellent and testament to Paul's hard work."

The former director of coaching at Northwich Flixton Villa, who has also worked at Manchester City and Macclesfield Town, is particularly keen to develop youth at the club.

"I'm a developmental coach. My vision of non-league is to create a system where you don't have to keep throwing money at a team," he said.

"The Flixton Villa squad are all under the age of 22. We don't pay any money we just work hard as a team, give the young boys opportunities and try to get them as far up the league as possible.

"Crewe also have a great name for developing youth and that's what I'd like to do at this level," he said.

With Boro also struggling off the pitch with a supporters group currently helping to run the club, Manning explains that was another reason why UEFA A licensed coach Prendergast was installed as the new first team boss.

"Paul (McGuire) did a great job under strenuous circumstances but I felt like we needed a change," he said.

"Bill is someone who not only wants to run a team but he also wants to run a club.

"He's got ambition and that was music to my ears."

Sam Fitzgerald, Sam Cook and Ashford Blake all scored as Boro moved nine points clear of the Evo-Stik Division One North relegation places with victory over mid-table Kendal Town last weekend.

Now the Stainton Park outfit face another tough test at fellow strugglers Ossett Albion on Saturday before hosting Curzon Ashton in the semi-finals of the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday, with Prendergast insisting victories are not top of his agenda.

"It would be lovely to get the win on Saturday but there's no pressure on the lads," he said.

"All I'm concerned about is can we perform. We've had a great start and set the standard and now that's the minimum for me.

"If we play well and it doesn't go our way then that's better than us playing awful, scrapping a 1-0 win and thinking we're alright and then all the results go wrong in the future.

"The Manchester Premier Cup is a good distraction for us too.

"I want the lads to go out and enjoy themselves.

"If we can play well on Saturday and play well in the cup you never know we might be flying and be on a good run of results."