By Neil Bonnar

neil.bonnar@nqnw.co.uk

JON Macken has called on his Radcliffe players to “right the wrongs” of their first defeat in six games when they step out against leaders South Shields at home on Saturday.

Boro lost 4-3 to Colne at the Neuven Stadium in an Evo-Stik North thriller on Tuesday night after coming back to 3-3 with two goals in the 85th and 88th minutes.

Macken was disappointed with the manner of the defeat which followed a run an impressive five-match spell which had seen Radcliffe win three draw two and concede just one goal.

On Tuesday night’s game, Macken said: “We fought to the end and unfortunately we made one or two little errors.

“I’m looking for a reaction. We’ve got training on Thursday [tonight] and I want to see the players bright and ready to go – looking forward to putting the wrongs right.”

The fact a defeat to Colne, who are comfortably placed in ninth, caused disappointment shows the improvement Boro have made in the last few months after a bad run of results which saw them drop to second bottom.

And much of that progress has been based on strengthening the squad with a winter influx of new players.

“There’s a good attitude running through the squad,” said the manager. “All the players are knuckling down and working for each other.

“They all want to be in the side and they’re working hard and doing what we are telling them.

“You can see and feel the difference on the training ground.

“We have players on the bench who can come on and have an effect.

“We have game-changers now who can really have an impact and influence the game.

“All the players want to play and having a deeper squad means they have to work harder to be in the side.”