Kristi Montgomery’s volley after 35 minutes was enough to record Radcliffe’s fifth league defeat of the campaign, as Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men were narrowly beaten by Marine on Merseyside.

Two changes were made amongst the starting side that exited the FA Cup last weekend, as Brad Jackson entered the eleven whilst Tunde Owolabi made his second debut for the club as part of the forward line.

The proceedings started in rather slow fashion as the two teams looked to suss the other out, limiting the action to a couple of aerial opportunities from set pieces which each outfit defended well inside the opening 15 minutes.

Owolabi gained his first chance of scoring for Radcliffe in five years on the 25-minute mark by latching onto Jordan Hulme’s through ball, before being marshalled out of play for a corner which couldn’t be taken advantage of.

Multiple passes were smartly exchanged by Hulme and Regan Riley on the right wing leading to a Radcliffe corner which created the Boro’s best chance of the half at that stage, with only a few inches coming between Brad Roscoe and his fifth of the campaign as the defender headed just over the bar with 28 minutes on the clock.

Moments later, Marine gained lift off as the hosts broke the deadlock to take a 1-0 lead. James Butler’s long ball was struck back across goal from the byline by Adam Thomas, falling perfectly for Kristi Montgomery to fire into the roof of the net on the volley.

Josh Wardle had the unenviable task of visiting the home of a side he captained to play-off promotion from the NPL Premier Division last season, and almost silenced his critics as the game entered stoppage time with a downwards header from Dudley’s corner, but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Tom Atcheson with a brilliant piece of defending.

Fin Sinclair-Smith had a bright start to the half after the restart by trying his luck and teeing up a teammate in the opening few minutes, but neither managed to double Marine’s lead despite a duo of good chances.

Radcliffe managed to grow into the second-half proceedings more with 30 minutes left to play but efforts were few and far between as the home side’s defence remained stubborn to keep their 1-0 lead.

Owen Robinson and Sinclair-Smith linked up from the centre to the left to send the latter through in the final third, his following low attempt was palmed wide by the fingertips of Mateusz Hewelt with a solid stop.

Radcliffe introduced Isaac Modi, Nicky Adams and Kyle Campbell to the mix late on but the attacking tide didn’t turn in the visitors’ favour, despite the fresh legs and new energy in the final third.

Deep into added time, Sinclair-Smith could’ve put the three points firmly in Marine’s grasp as the former Radcliffe man picked the pocket of Roscoe to win possession before crashing a powerful strike off the top of the crossbar, and over for a goal kick.

The referee’s whistle sounded after five minutes of additional time to the jubilance of the home faithful on Merseyside, as Radcliffe’s wait for a first-ever National League North win goes on.

The Boro return to M26 next weekend as we match up against Warrington Town, buy your tickets online here!