TUNDE Owolabi was the matchwinner as Radcliffe won 1-0 at Kidsgrove Athletic in Evo-Stik West on Saturday.

Boro began brightly with Michael Fowler and Ben Wharton both going close early on for Jon Macken's side.

Elliot Rokka, who was making his 180th appearance for the club, then saw a chipped effort one-on-one sail wide of goal.

The home side did have some chances of their own – a Rhys Thompson cross managed to find space for Ant Malbon in front of goal but could not convert and Pete Williams shot from distance just after but was wide of the target.

Boro ended the half stronger with Matt Crothers and Wharton both seeing efforts saved by the Kidsgrove keeper.

Radcliffe picked up where they left off after the interval and Scott Metcalfe hit the bar.

Macken then made changes to get the points and, like the previous Saturday, it paid off with substitute Owolabi grabbing the winning goal on 68 minutes – five minutes after his introduction.

Crothers, who was managing to get into key areas to trouble the Kidsgrove defence all afternoon, provided the key pass.

He beat his man to square the ball low across the box to find Owolabi in the centre and he simply slotted home.

With 15 minutes to go, Liam Wood was dismissed for two yellow cards and Boro had to see the game out with only 10 men.

Kidsgrove had some half-chances in this period, but the away side were dangerous on the counter attack.

Owolabi rounded the keeper but a Kidsgrove defender caught up and looked to have won the ball and denied a certain goal.

He then slipped and would have allowed Owolabi to seal the three points but for an assistant's flag.

Kidsgrove had a penalty claim near the end denied by the referee as Chris Budrys collided with Lewis Lacy and the visitors sealed the points to sit fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Atherton Collieries with two games in hand.

And Colls are next up for Boro in a huge game at the Neuven Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm.