RADCLIFFE Borough boss Bill Prendergast believes naive defending his costing his young side points.

The Taurus Park outfit dropped to 14th in the Evo-Stik First Division North following Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat.

They had battled back after conceding from an early penalty against Colne.

Elliot Rokka's deflected strike made it 1-1 before half time and Boro were going all out for a first win in four matches when they were caught by two late goals.

Prendergast was happy with the way his side recovered from their early setback before shooting themselves in the foot.

"It was right on the edge of the box; it might have been [a penalty] or might not,” said the Boro manager.

“We’ve conceded and gone 1-0 down.

"It’s not something unusual so we kept trying and got our way back into the game before half time.

“We then got what we deserved. If we don’t defend well then that is what is going to happen.

"We need to get better at that.

"We were on top at the time, but this happens in football.”

Boro's chances of ending their run of three straight defeats this weekend look slim as they travel to Lancaster City, who are third in the Evo-Stik First Division North, just two points off top spot.

Yet Prendergast's men have already claimed their scalp once already this season.

In fact, their 3-0 victory at home to Lancaster in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy is Boro's only win in their last five matches.

The Radcliffe boss has also warned Saturday's opponents that some of their best performances this campaign have followed heavy defeats.

Although he admits it is anyone's guess which Boro will turn up this weekend.

“The funny thing is, every time they don’t do well, they’re desperate for the next game,” he said.

“We’re just as likely to go and win by four than to not win the game.

“My prediction is, as a young squad, we’ll bounce back and perform well.

"If we perform well then we can win this.”