RADCLIFFE Borough got their season up and running on Tuesday night after coming through a titanic tussle with Droylsden to make into the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Captain Jack Hindle scored twice to clinch a 2-1 victory at home in the replay after the two Evo-Stik First Division North sides drew 4-4 at Droylsden on Saturday.

Manager Bill Prendergast must have been overjoyed by the spirit his side showed to set up a home tie against Spennymoor in the next round.

They came from behind three times at Droylsden, with Elliot Rokka scoring their final equaliser with two minutes remaining in the first tie, then had to fight back again after the visitors went ahead in the first half at the Taurus Park Stadium.

The boss has challenged his players to use that same spirit to kick-start their league campaign at Prescot Cables on Saturday after losing their opening two matches.

"I’d like to start getting some points on the board now," he said.

"We’ve got better and better as we have gone along.

"So we are moving in the right direction and I’ll do my best to get the lads ready for Saturday."

Rokka proved a handful yet again on Tuesday night, twice hitting the woodwork as he bid to add to the two goals he scored at Droylsden.

And Hindle led the team from the front, scoring his second and third goals of the tie after also finding the net on Saturday.

But Prendergast picked out the performances of debutant midfielder Timmy Raheem and defender Ryan Eiselt as key to the comeback.

"I thought Timmy did exceptional on his debut in the middle of the park and there was a big, big performance by Ryan at centre-back," he said.

"The boys have done terrifically well and its up to them now to continue to act professional and fight for their places.”

While Boro made their own luck against Droylsden, it took a penalty decision, given for handball, to get them back into the replay.

Hindle tucked away the resulting spot kick to put them back in the game, and Prendergast is hoping for more of the same as his side fight to claw their way up the league table, as well as progress in the cup.

He said: “We haven’t had the rub of the green in the early part of the season but for the first time we got a penalty and it was about time we got some luck on our side.

"I think overall we played better football on the night.

"We try to put people to the sword as often as we can and that’s proven by the teams who have played against us because after they have come up against us they usually feel it the game after.

"We are continuing to keep working hard throughout the week in preparation for each match.

"We know we now have a home draw against Spennymoor in the cup, so let's get them down here and see how good they are."