RADCLIFFE gave their promotion hopes a major boost with a 1-0 win against title-chasing rivals Runcorn Linnets on Saturday.

Callum Grogan scored the only goal of the game as second-placed Boro won a fourth straight game to keep up the pressure on Evo-Stik West leaders Atherton Collieries.

Boro started off the brighter of the two sides at the Neuven Stadium and, after Tunde Owolabi’s chipped shot was saved by the Runcorn keeper, Matty Crothers fired a long-range volley narrowly wide of the goal.

The visitors also chances in the first half with Bobby Evans clearing the bar from the edge of the box and Boro grateful to Kyle Harrison for a spectacular goal-line clearance with his chest to deny Linnets’ Paul Shanley.

Harrison turned provider to create a chance for Scott Metcalfe but he could not get the power to beat Linnets keeper Jordan Perrin.

At the other end, Kurt Sherlock’s glancing header went just wide of Ollie Martin’s goal and Thomas Bailey burst through the home defence before rattling the bar with a volley.

But what turned out to be Radcliffe’s winning goal came in first-half stoppage time, Grogan heading home Metcalfe’s whipped-in corner to the back post.

The best chance of the second half went Boro’s way, Metcalfe sending a thunderous shot just wide.

Runcorn’s Paul Shanley was sent off six minutes from time, ending Runcorn’s hopes of salvaging something from the game. Already booked earlier in the second half he went down trying to claim a penalty and was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

And against 10 men Jon Macken’s side were able to see out a win that took them three points clear of their visitors.