RETURNING Radcliffe Borough striker Steve Foster is hoping history can repeat itself as he bids to save the Stainton Park outfit from relegation for a second time.

The 32-year-old fans favourite, who made his second debut for the Evo-Stik Division One strugglers against former club Warrington Town on Saturday, scored a last-minute goal to keep Boro in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in the final game of the 2005-06 season.

Now the club's legendary forward is hoping to work his goalscoring magic again, but hopes it won't come down to the last game this time around.

"I was at Radcliffe for a couple of seasons the first time and was the club's top scorer in both of them," Foster told the Radcliffe Times.

"We narrowly missed out on the play-offs in 2004-05 but then we were involved in a relegation battle in 2005-06.

"It went to the last game of the season against Bradford Park Avenue. We had to win to stay up and I scored a late goal to secure a 1-0 victory and keep us in the league.

"I'd liked to think we could sort it before the last game this time around and I'm sure if we continue to work hard on our performances we will be fine," he said.

Foster, who re-signed for Boro last week, is delighted to be back at "friendly" Boro as a player coach and is now looking to help some of the younger players develop.

"It's good to be back," he said.

"I had a great time at AFC Telford and although it didn't work out at Warrington, the FA Cup victory over Exeter City was one of the best feelings that I've ever experienced.

"I hope the experience that I bring to the team will help the younger lads gain confidence and score a few more goals."

Foster faced another of his former sides in Mossley on Tuesday night but was unable to inspire his new team to victory with both games ending in disappointing 4-1 defeats. But Foster did find the goal in both matches, albeit his effort against Warrington was ruled offside.

"Those decisions are the small differences," he said.

"I didn't think I was offside but the linesman gave it and we have to accept that.

"I really enjoyed the game, it was good to play against them and it would have been nice to have got that goal.

"Unfortunately the result didn't go our way, even though we deserved something out of the game."

The Boro legend was also involved in a controversial moment which led to the sending off of Warrington's Craig Robinson on the hour mark.

"He caught me in the face with his arm and I couldn't see out of my eye for a good couple of minutes," said Foster.

Boro, who are just nine points above the drop zone in 19th place, face an away trip to third-placed Northwich Victoria on Saturday with Foster expecting another stern test.

"They are a very solid team," he said.

"But we've got to be confident because we have been playing well even though we haven't been getting the results."