MATCH-WINNING striker Raul Correia is a shining example of the strides being made by Radcliffe Borough's young players, according to boss Bill Prendergast.

The Boro manager has been intent on giving youth a chance since taking over in the summer, and Correia took his perfectly this week, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over promotion chasers Bamber Bridge

But while former Crewe academy coach Prendergast has pieced together a competitive outfit in Evo-Stik First Division North, he has had to fend off continued approaches from clubs eager to poach his best young talents.

And the battle to keep the Boro squad together is wearing thin.

"Raul Correia is the perfect answer to all those clubs intent on taking our players," he said.

"The league rules state clubs can make a seven-day approach for our players and we can't do anything about that.

"Every week we are being bombarded with these approaches.

"As a club, we have stated we will never make such an approach, but I can't stop others doing it to us.

"Thankfully, none of our players have gone, and that is because we have promised to develop them by giving them game time, proper coaching and good facilities.

"That is where our money goes, on developing our players, and Raul showed that it is working.

"He has turned down countless approaches from other clubs to continue his development here and this week he was our match-winner.

"So my message to any players out there who want to develop their talent, this could be the club for you."

Correia's winning goal against Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night was the perfect response from a side that lost their first league match of the month on Saturday at relegation strugglers Ossett Albion.

The 2-0 defeat, which lifted Ossett out of the bottom two, was a chastening reminder of how far Boro still need to go to compete at the top.

But they hauled themselves up to 11th in the table after downing third-placed Bamber.

"I have said before about our need to excel at both sides of the game – with and without the ball," Prendergast said.

"On Saturday we did neither, but these young players showed how eager they are to grow.

"We took an eighth-minute lead against Bamber and then had to work off the ball for the rest of the 90 minutes to keep it.

"We had chances to score more, but in the end it was our work off the ball that won us the game."

Boro have another two matches this week, at home to Colne on Saturday before entertaining Hyde United on Tuesday.

"I would normally say I only concentrate on the next game, but Hyde is one I have been looking forward to all season," added Prendergast, whose son Gareth is first-team coach there.

"We set up an academy in Hyde about seven years ago and Gareth stayed on when Hyde United picked it up.

"He still runs the academy and doubles up as first-team coach.

"Gareth is doing a great job there and I hope both sides have a great game, just as long as we run out winners."