RADCLIFFE Borough boss Bill Prendergast believes his squad is ready and eager to compete for honours in Evo-Stik First Division North.

Boro put to bed any lingering relegation fears with Elliot Rokka’s last-gasp winner at second-bottom Goole on Saturday before giving leaders Lancaster City a run for their money in a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday night.

The two matches followed what the Boro manager believes was a landmark deal to sell striker Raul Corriea to League Two side Blackpool.

Prendergast says he has already seen a positive impact from the sale, and expects the knock-on effect to turn his side from also-rans to promotion candidates.

“My message to the rest of the league is ‘watch out, we mean business’,” he said. “Raul’s sale has been like a seismic shock.

“I said from the start we would develop players to make them ready for the Football League.

“The rest of the squad can see we have been true to our word. They can see a clear pathway, and it has had a real impact.

“We have also seen an influx of players wanting to get involved, and long may that continue.

“This club is always looking for fresh talent and we will continue to do that, but things have really clicked into place with this squad now and I am convinced we are ready to challenge.”

No sooner had Correia left for Bloomfield Road, Prendergast unleashed new striker Yahya Saheed into the first team and he scored on his debut at Lancaster.

Boro battled back after falling behind to a deflected goal, with the Spanish-born front man equalising just after the hour mark.

But they conceded a needless penalty shortly afterwards and league leaders Lancaster added a third three minutes from time.

“The match was very close and the opposition manager said some nice things about us after the game,” said Prendergast.

“Yahya came on and showed what he is capable of. If we had not given away that penalty so soon after Yahya scoring it could have gone either way.

“I now have a squad of 30 players all vying for first-team football, with options in every position, so I am very happy with where we are at and feel we are now ready to push on.”