RADCLIFFE Borough boss Danny Johnson believes it is only a matter of time before the goals start to flow after experienced striker Steve Foster announced his return to fitness with a brace in Saturday’s vital 2-1 victory at Ossett Town.

The 33-year-old front man clinched a morale-boosting three points for Boro against their relegation rivals, adding a coolly-taken last-minute winner to his first-half opener.

It was hoped the Belvoir Stadium outfit would build on their sixth win of the Evo-Stik First Division North campaign at home to Kendal Town on Tuesday night.

But despite drawing a frustrating blank in a 1-0 defeat, played out in front of a season-low attendance of just 64, Johnson took plenty of positives from the performance.

“We didn’t just throw the kitchen sink at Kendal in the second half, we chucked the full bathroom suite at them but were thwarted by two top-drawer saves that, if they had been in the Premier League and shown on Match of the Day, people would have been talking about for weeks to come,” said Johnson.

“It is hard to understand how we did not win the game.

“We missed chance after chance in the second half, but there were signs that we are starting to click up front.

“Steve Foster has been missing for weeks with a hamstring injury, but after scoring twice on Saturday he is looking sharp again.

“And Jody Banim is starting to get his match fitness now.

“So it looks as if those two are ready to really click into gear, and when that happens I think we are going to give someone a real hiding.”

Boro have the perfect opportunity to prove their manager right on Saturday when they host rock bottom New Mills, who have shipped 100 goals in 26 league matches over the season.

But Johnson will not send his players out with any greater expectations than in any other fixture this campaign.

“We feel we can score against any side, whether they are the leaders Warrington Town or New Mills,” he said.

“For one reason or another we have not been clinical enough in front of goal, which is frustrating because I know we have the talent in the squad.

“The same scenario keeps on repeating itself – miss loads of chances and lose 1-0.

“But likewise, we have not been on the end of any real drubbings.

“We have been competitive in pretty much every match and I expect the New Mills game to be no different.”

While New Mills look doomed for the drop, with just one point on the board, Boro’s own relegation fears were eased by their victory over third-bottom Ossett Albion.

The win opened up a five-point gap over Ossett and an eight-point cushion above the relegation zone.