ELLIOT Rokka scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal a 1-0 victory for Radcliffe Borough at relegation candidates Goole.

A win for second-bottom Goole would have moved them to within four points of Boro.

So the pressure was on for Bill Prendergast's men ahead of the trip up the M62.

They had not tasted victory since beating Ramsbottom United on Boxing Day, a fact that had turned focus away from the race for the Evo-Stik First Division North play-offs towards the battle to beat the drop.

In reality, with three games in hand over Goole, the spectre of relegation never seemed too much of a concern for the manager, but supporters had begun to get restless.

That led to a frantic start, as the hosts pushed hard to gain an early advantage.

Winger Bobby Johnson tried his luck from distance with a free kick from 20 yards out but new Boro keeper Ciaran O’Loughlan was up to the task as he tipped the ball away.

Goole striker Sanchez Payne then hit the woodwork with a stooping header at the back post.

Boro struggled to create anything going forward, and it was not until stoppage time in the opening half that Rokka had his side's first attempt at goal, which he fired over.

The second half went much like the majority of the first as both sides created little in attack.

Goole did look more positive in their approach as they pressed high up on the Boro back line but could not find a way past O’Loughlan.

The keeper then produced arguably one of the saves of the season as he somehow managed to tip Payne’s powerful curling effort over the bar from close range.

It seemed destined to nestle into the far corner of the goal but the keeper made himself big to keep the sides level in the 70th minute.

Rokka had the chance to capitalise when getting on the end of a cross from substitute Jermaine Metz but his miss-timed effort trickled wide.

O’Loughlan was again the hero in the final 10 minutes when he produced a fine double save to stop Devonte Morton from point-blank range.

That gave Rokka the chance to steal all three points and this time he made no mistake, making a sweet connection with a low Metz cross to drive the ball home with the last kick of the game.

The result moved Boro up to 17th place and gave them an 11-point cushion over the relegation places ahead of Tuesday's trip to leaders Lancaster City.

Turn to page 75 for a full report of Boro's midweek match.

Hi Craig

Please find enclosed some pictures from Saturday game at Goole

Regards

Pete Gray

Pic 0391 Elliott Rokka scores Boro's goal

Pic 0395 Boro players run to congratulate Elliott Rokka on scoring

Pic 0394 Elliott Rokka after scoring his goal

Pic 0064 Boro's latest signing from Crewe Alexander Lewis Reilly

Pic 0036 Boro keeper Ciaran O'Loughlan who made some fine saves for Boro

Pic 0204 Boro's Jermaine Metz who provided the assist for Rokka's goal fires in a shot

Pic 0085 Boro's Lamin Baldeh makes a darting run down the left-hand side of play

Pic 0031 One of Boro's attacks on the Goole goal in the 1st half of the game

Pic 0166 Lamin Baldeh makes a darting run down the left-hand side of play in the latter stages of the game

Pic 0211 Boro's Daniel Burns is beaten to the ball by Goole captain Robert Constable in another Boro attack on goal