JON Macken paid tribute to his players for transforming the defensive side of their game over the last few weeks.

Radcliffe FC were conceding goals at an alarming rate as they sank down EvoStik North.

But there has been an astounding turnaround in the resilience of the side over the last three games, and Macken believes the achievements of the side, particularly his defenders, should not be underestimated.

“One of the most pleasing things has been the way the defenders have changed things around,” said the manager after last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Ossett Town, courtesy of a 90th-minute Jordan Bove goal, made it two wins and a draw – all away – in the last three league games.

It is in stark contrast to their fortunes in the previous seven games in which they shipped 27 goals.

“They have been working tremendously hard,” said the ex-Manchester City striker who took over the reigns at the Neuven Stadium in September in his first job in management. “When you are getting heavily beaten as we were it is hard to turn it around.

“It’s difficult to put the right the things that are going wrong – to stop the crosses coming in, stop the mistakes you are making – and the players have done exceptionally well over the last three games to get it right.

“So it is very pleasing to not be conceding many goals – one in three games when before we were conceding heavily.

“But it doesn’t come easy. It’s hard to turn things around and to get the belief back and the back five or six lads have been working tremendously hard to do that.

“We were our own worst enemy before and as a team they have really knuckled down and worked together to turn it around over the last three games.”

The recent improvement has seen Boro climb to fifth bottom of EvoStik North.

And with home league games against second-bottom Ossett Albion and bottom club Goole coming up on Saturday and Tuesday, Macken’s men will be looking to continue their positive momentum.