JODY Banim’s third debut for Radcliffe Borough ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat in the league at Witton Albion on Saturday.

But Boro quickly bounced back to register their first victory since his arrival with a stunning 5-1 win at home to the striker’s former club Ashton United in the quarter-finals of the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday night.

Danny Johnson’s men went behind early on against their Evo-Stik Premier Division opponents but they were 2-1 up by the break following goals from Omar McKenzie and Sam McMahon.

And McMahon weighed in with another in the second half, either side of efforts from Richard Smith and Matt Davies.

Boro could easily have left Witton with a win three days’ earlier had they taken their chances. Banim started the game on the bench, coming on for the final 20 minutes, by which time Boro were already 1-0 down.

It looked like they would be in for a long day after goalkeeper Chris Cheetham was forced to make a string of fine saves in the opening five minutes

Yet Witton, who went into the match unbeaten in eight, were forced into a rearguard action for the remainder of the first half.

Tom Hulme, Davies and Elliot Rokka missed chances and Matt Landregan had a goal ruled out for offside.

Witton pegged the visitors back after the break, with Robert Hopley opening the scoring from close range in the 57th minute.

And despite Banim’s introduction, they conceded again when Callum Hasson fired in Witton’s second 12 minutes from time to kill off the game.