RADCLIFFE have been pipped to the league title – but Jon Macken insists his side can still achieve something special in the play-offs.

Boro’s goalless draw against Ramsbottom United meant Atherton Collieries were confirmed as Evo-Stik West champions on Monday.

Macken’s side will finish second, regardless of this weekend’s result at Chasetown and will have home advantage in a semi-final against one of Leek Town, Ramsbottom United, Colne or Runcorn Linnets.

They will also have home advantage in the one-legged game and the final, should they win through.

Macken was disappointed to miss out on top spot but has called for one final push from his squad, who have transformed the club’s outlook this season.

“I’m really, really proud of them all,” he said. “The club and the players have come a long, long way from where they were last season. You could only dream then about getting into the play-offs this year.

“We have got three games now to try and really do something special at this football club.

“Fair play to Atherton, we tried to have a fight with them, claw them back towards the end, and they were a little bit too far ahead.

“Their run-in was always a little bit easier than ours but congratulations to them for winning the league.”

Rick Smith is unlikely to feature on Saturday because of an ankle injury and after an energy-sapping double-header over the Easter weekend,

Macken may choose to rest some of his players at Chasetown with one eye on the semi-final.

“We’ll be glad of a few days’ rest, to be honest, to get some energy back in the players’ legs but after that we’ve got to give it everything we have got,” he said.

“It will be tough, play-offs always are. But the players are looking forward to them and there’s a goal at the end of them.

“There’s something to fight for. Hopefully, in the end, we will all have something to celebrate.”