JON Macken admits his team are “hurting” after losing ground in the automatic promotion race.

A late penalty cost Radcliffe victory at Prescot Cables last weekend, leaving them six points off top spot with one game in hand.

Macken will be looking for a reaction when Boro host lowly Kendal Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) after disappointment on Merseyside.

Louis Myers looked to have put Macken’s men on their way to an important win when he linked up with Ben Wharton to put his side ahead with 15 minutes left on the clock.

But Michael Monaghan – potentially playing his last game for Cables before moving to Australia – snatched a point in injury time from the penalty spot to leave Macken’s side with work to do if they are to catch Atherton Colls at the top of the league.

Asked if he felt it was a fair result, the former Manchester City man could not hide his disappointment.

“I didn’t think so. I thought we were on top second-half and created a number of chances, and I don’t think Ollie (Martin) had much to do,” he said.

“I’m disappointed with the result. We were the better team, we played better football. I’ll give them (Cables) credit. They dug in. They have quality all over the pitch and defended well at times and had a few half-chances. They’re a good side.

“The lads are bitterly disappointed with today and we will raise them and get them back buzzing for it. It’s hurting us this (result).”

Macken was impressed by goalscorer Myers, whose appearance in the second half from the bench was one of the plus points of the afternoon.

“I knew I’d get that reaction off Louis (Myers) today,” he said. “He had a tight hamstring during the week, that’s why I left him on the bench.

“I’d knew he would come on and have an impact in the game. The substitutes when they came on did really well, to be fair, and impacted the game.”

Meanwhile, Boro will face Mossley in the semi-final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup after FC United were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

Manchester FA do not expect FC United to appeal the decision and so the match will be played against the reinstated opponents on Tuesday night at the Neuven Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).