DANNY Johnson insists it is no surprise to see his Radcliffe Borough side finally fulfilling their potential.

Boro have spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the Evo-Stik First Division North but have put themselves well clear of the relegation zone in recent weeks.

Although Johnson’s men considered themselves unlucky to lose 2-1 away to sixth-placed Clitheroe on Saturday, they got their just rewards in midweek.

Boro were up against Farsley Celtic, another side hoping to claim a play-off place, and they enjoyed a 3-1 victory at the Belvoir Stadium.

That made it seven points from a possible 12 for Radcliffe and edged them back above Droylsden to fifth-bottom, 10 points clear of the bottom two.

“There was never any doubt,” said Johnson.

“People have said all season that we’ve been fighting a relegation battle but I’ve always said we’re much better than that. I always expected us to show that.

“Last summer we had to put together a team in eight weeks and it can take three of four months for them to gel.

“But we kept going with them, now the penny’s dropped and we’ve started winning games.

“The lads are doing everything I’ve been asking them to do and now it’s coming together.

“We’d always been in good form and now we’re getting good results too.

“We’re looking up rather than down and we’re looking forward to our last 10 games. I believe we can get another 15-20 points from them.”

New signing Dominic Smith may not be around for them, though, having already attracted interest from Boro’s league rivals.

The former Colchester striker was taking a break after leaving Droylsden when Johnson signed him last week, and he came off the bench to score on his debut against Clitheroe.

“He’s still really unfit so needs a few games but I’m not sure how long we can keep him,” admitted the Boro boss.

“We’ve had two seven-day notices from Trafford and Glossop, and given how much they can pay compared to us, they might entice him away, but he’s had a big impact here already.”

Radcliffe aim to continue their revival away to ninth-placed Lancaster City on Saturday before returning to home soil on Tuesday to host Trafford, who are four points behind Lancaster in 10th.

Boro could be missing three midfielders, though, with Matty Davies (hamstring) and Nathan Valentine (knee) having picked up injuries in midweek.

That followed a nasty head injury to Sam Crook on Saturday, which required hospital treatment.

“Sam thinks he’ll be fit for this weekend but I think it’ll be another week,” said Johnson. “Our three centre-midfielders are all struggling so we could do with getting some bodies in, but if need be, Ric Smith can move into midfield, with Mark Bainbridge going to centre-half.”