RADCLIFFE’S final game of pre-season ended in defeat as Marske United picked up a 3-1 win at the Neuven Stadium.

Jon Macken’s side dominated periods of the game but were unable to capitalise on their chances.

After a quiet first 12 minutes the first chance fell to Elliot Rokka but he fired his shot high and wide of the Marske United goal.

Boro continued to apply early pressure as, on 15 minutes, Scott Metcalfe picked out Shelton Payne with a superb long ball but Payne could only drag his shot wide.

However, it was Marske who took the lead on 30 minutes with their first chance of the game as Callum Martin’s cross was met at the near post by a glancing Jamie Owens header that found the bottom corner.

The Seasiders continued to add pressure following the goal with Owens picking the ball up on the right and cutting in, forcing a smart save from Ollie Martin in the Boro goal.

And Marske doubled their lead with 10 minutes left of the first half as Curtis Round picked out Glen Butterworth whose shot was too powerful for Martin to keep out.

It was Radcliffe who started the second half the better side, winning a free kick on the right flank after 51 minutes. Scott Metcalfe delivered the free kick into the box and Lewis Lacy jumped highest to head in to halve the arrears.

Radcliffe continued to look for the equaliser but were not having any luck.

On the hour mark Rokka found Kingsley Williams and the captain’s low shot was saved by Robert Dean on 58 minutes.

Marske almost restored their two-goal lead a minute later as Curtis Round blazed a volley over from inside the six-yard box.

Another chance for Boro came and went as Rokka got down the right and put a cross in which beat everyone except Williams, who was again denied by Dean.

On 67 minutes some quick passing from Radcliffe caught out the Marske defence as Ben Wharton played Rokka through on goal, only for his shot to go just over the bar.

A minute later substitute Tunde Owolabi burst through the Marske defence and his low shot beat the keeper but went just wide.

Macken’s men were pushing hard to find an equaliser and 10 minutes from time Metcalfe put an inviting ball across the face of goal, finding Rick Smith at the far post but he could only poke his effort inches wide.

The Seasiders made Radcliffe regret their missed chances on 85 minutes as a trialist picked the ball up at the edge of the area and drilled a fantastic strike into the top corner to restore Marske’s two-goal lead.

That strike concluded what was a frustrating day for Radcliffe as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat against a resilient Marske side.