BILL Prendergast wants his inexperienced players to become "masters of communication" after claiming a breakdown on the pitch led to Radcliffe Borough's early exit from the FA Trophy.

Farsley Celtic claimed a 3-1 victory at Taurus Park on Saturday to progress to the first-round proper of non-league football's premier cup competition.

But while Boro were competing against a side 14 places above them in the Evo-Stik First Division North, they were by no means outclassed.

After a goalless first half in which the home side missed a host of chances and were thwarted by a great display from Farsley stopper Graham McKibbin, the game turned during a flurry of three goals in four second-half minutes.

Prendergast says his midfield and defence "parted like the Red Sea" to let the visitors in as they opened up a 2-1 lead and Farsley were again gifted a third goal in the final minute as Boro pushed for an equaliser.

"I have said many times before that we have a young side here, which is our choice," said the Boro boss.

"We are in a development process.

"I believe we have the raw ability to compete but there are aspects of the game that only come with time and communication is a great example of that.

"Communication is certainly something our captain, Jack Hindle, needs to improve upon.

"Our coaches normally lead the warm-up in training, but this week we have had Jack doing it.

"We need to put him in more situations where he has to talk with the lads, and the rest of the lads need to learn they have to listen to him.

"It is a two way thing.

"We need to improve our communication right through the pitch - from keeper to defenders, defenders to midfield and midfield to attack – but Jack has to lead that.

"On Saturday we lost our shape and organisation because players just weren't communicating and Farsley were able to waltz right through us, it was as if the middle of the team parted like the Red Sea."

Prendergast held up Bryan Robson as the perfect example of a vocal captain, but admitted his policy of blooding youth has meant 21-year-old Hindle has been forced to take on the role sooner than he would have liked.

"Bryan Robson captained England 65 times – only Billy Wright and Bobby More had more caps as captain," added Prendergast.

"But he wasn't born into that role.

"Robson was never captain at West Brom before his move to Manchester United. In fact, he did not captain a side until he was 25.

"At other clubs, the captain is always one of the older players. In many ways Jack is too young for the role, but he is the best man for it at Boro and will have to do his learning on the job."

Prendergast says he will have a full squad to choose from when they get back to league action on Saturday with a visit from third-bottom Goole AFC.