RADCLIFFE Borough boss Bill Prendergast has likened forward Elliot Rokka to Sunderland hotshot Jermain Defoe after he scored his 18th goal of the season in their 1-1 draw at Kendal Town on Tuesday night, writes Rachael Warham.

The 19-year-old continued his own fine form with the opening goal of the game.

And while Boro were unable to hold out for a vital three points, his strike did at least end a three-match losing run.

The Taurus Park outfit remain 18th in Evo-Stik First Division North, two places above the drop zone, prompting Prendergast to make the comparison between Rokka and Defoe, who both have decent scoring records despite playing for struggling teams.

“For him (Rokka) to be scoring as many goals as he has is brilliant,” said Prendergast.

“If he was playing for a team that created more chances, who knows how many he’d have to his name?

“You could say he is the Jermain Defoe of the Evo-Stik, especially when you see where we are in the league.”

The striker’s form has been crucial, given his fellow front-man Raul Correia has gone for a trial with Blackpool.

Prendergast was buoyed by the team’s display against Kendal, despite letting in an 82nd-minute equaliser.

He said: “To come away with a result after the run we’ve been on is a step forward.

“The draw was on the back of three straight defeats (the latest of which was a 2-0 reverse at Bamber Bridge on Saturday) so it was a good point and a good performance.”

The Boro boss has had to juggle his squad throughout the season, with a number of departures and long-term injuries meaning he has struggled to field a settled side.

He added: “It’s a challenge embedding new players in, especially when you think we have the youngest side in non-league football.

“But while they’re a very young side, they can only get better and they are doing that as each week passes.

“Frank Jones has come in from Blackburn at centre-half and has helped to tighten us up at the back.”

Boro entertain Colwyn Bay on Saturday in a match between two sides struggling for form.

While the home side have not won in four attempts, Colwyn Bay have gone six matches without a victory.

Other than the possible departure of Correia, Prendergast has a full squad to choose from.

Boro came away with a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.

“The fact of the matter is we can win or lose to anyone,” said Prendergast.

“We’ve been working hard on defence and have tightened up at the back which you can see in our last couple of games.

“Of course, we will always go out to win.”