RADCLIFFE Borough manager Danny Johnson has given his squad a boost as he aims to bow out on a high.

Johnson confirmed two weeks ago that he will be stepping down after a difficult season at Stainton Park to take a break from management.

Boro's status in the Evo-Stik First Division North now looks secure having climbed to fifth-bottom with a 2-2 draw against Witton Albion last weekend.

But Johnson wants to ensure that Boro finish with a flourish before he hands over the reins to the new manager.

The former Ashton and Nantwich boss has signed striker Dominic Smith, who spent the 2014/15 season with League One Colchester, and the ex-Crewe trainee is set to make his debut away to Clitheroe on Saturday.

"He recently left Droylsden," said Johnson. "It didn't work out for him there, he lives in Crewe and just wants to get back to enjoying his football.

"He's a 6ft 3ins centre-forward who likes to put his weight about and knock people over, so he will give us a more physical edge at the top end of the pitch.

"When we played against Droylsden earlier in the season he was a handful so hopefully he can knock a few other centre-halves about during the rest of the season and give us a different dimension in the last third."

Johnson feels that has been a problem area for Boro this season but their recent form suggests there is plenty for his successor to build on.

Saturday's draw means they have gone two unbeaten in the league for the first time since October.

"New Mills and Droylsden both got beat 9-0 on Tuesday night and we're a cut above that," said Johnson.

"About from the slip-up at Clitheroe, when we went down to 10 men before half time, no-one's really given us a lesson.

"We've competed in every other game, we've just fallen down in the last third. With a bit more quality up there I think we could have picked up another 15/16 points."

Radcliffe last faced Clitheroe at Stainton Park just over two weeks ago, with the visitors romping to a 6-1 victory.

The Blues are now seventh, one point outside the play-off places, and Johnson is keen for Boro to do themselves justice after last week's draw with mid-table Witton.

"In the end we were actually slightly disappointed not to take all three points," added the Boro boss.

"We're now two unbeaten and it keeps us moving on. Droylsden's goal difference is doing them no favours and it takes us closer to Scarborough and Kendal.

"If we keep going the way we are then we could end up finishing sixth or seventh from bottom, which would be a great season for us.

"The only time we've been well beaten recently was against Clitheroe but we don't feel we owe them - we feel we owe ourselves to show we're not as bad as we were on that night."

Boro are then set to host Farsley, who are a point further back in eighth place, on Tuesday night.