RADCLIFFE Borough boss Bill Prendergast threw new signings Owen Brooke and Frank Jones straight into his backline for the visit of Farsley Athletic and they were given a baptism of fire in a 5-0 defeat.

Brooke arrived on loan from Huddersfield to replace fellow Terrier Tadgh Ryan in goal, while 17-year-old centre-back Jones joined from Blackburn Rovers in another temporary deal.

The pair were not helped by one of Boro's worst team displays of the season, which was punished by a striking masterclass from Farsley frontman James Walshaw, who helped himself to four goals.

Walshaw bagged a hat-trick in the first half, showing his prowess in the air to head home a Lewis Nightingale cross on five minutes and a Nightingale corner in the 29th minute before drawing a foul in the box and ramming home the resulting penalty three minutes before the break.

It was mainly one-way traffic in the opening half, although Boro did fashion a couple of chances.

Adam Clayton produced a fine last-ditch tackle to thwart Jack Hindle when he looked to be through on goal, and Raul Corriea curled an effort just wide.

But Brooke had his work cut out at the other end to keep down the score, making a number of flying saves to stop Walshaw adding to his tally before the break.

The new keeper was kept busy at the start of the second half as well, but Boro slowly got a foothold in the game.

Corriea had a rare chance for the hosts from a tight angle in the 50th minute, but failed to really test visiting keeper Graeme McKibbin.

Daniel Burns then hit the post with an effort on 66 minutes and McKibbin blocked Hindle's shot from the rebound with his legs to keep his clean sheet intact.

Boro's attempts to force their way back into the game were undone on 78 minutes when Walshaw seized upon a rare mistake from Brooke to score his fourth goal of the game.

Darren Topey was then sent off for the home side after picking up his second yellow card, and Richard Marshall fired in a low shot with four minutes remaining to round off the scoring for Farsley.

The result moved Farsley to within a point of the play-off places in Evo-Stik First Division North, while Boro dropped to 18th. They entertain another promotion hopeful, Glossop North End, on Saturday.