In a huge tie towards the bottom end of the table, it took one moment of quality to unlock the vital opening needed to win the match and it was Marine who managed to tip the points in their favour, leaving Greater Manchester with a 1-0 victory.

Four changes were made to the side that recorded three consecutive victories as Anthony Dudley, Regan Riley, Luca Navarro and Harrison Wood all entered the 11, the latter making his first start in Boro colours.

The visitors controlled possession well in the opening half-hour with rare opportunities for Radcliffe on the counter, but chances were few and far between for both teams as the two defences were stubborn in their approach to see away any oncoming danger right until the break.

However on the 48-minute mark, Marine managed to break the deadlock. A corner was delivered in from the right-hand side and Chris Doyle wriggled away from his man to gain half a yard and nod into the back of the net with a powerful header.

After 55 minutes, Navarro came inches away from restoring parity after his chip looped over Andrew Wogan in the visiting goal, but his effort was too high to find the intended target.

Radcliffe began to dominate the ball leaving Marine deep inside their own half for large parts, but the Boro continued to struggle in their attempts to find the gaps and create a clear opening.

As the half grew closer to its conclusion, the home side’s best chance of the game went begging which would’ve handed substitute Josh Hancock his seventh goal of the campaign. With a cross from the right flank, Tom Walker’s delivery fell perfectly into space for the midfielder to rifle towards goal but his shot was blocked on its travels, just as the ball was about to nestle into the far corner.

Bernard and Jonno made all five substitutions in an attempt to turn the tie on its head, and despite having an additional eight minutes to find the net after the initial 90, Marine held on to seal victory and hand Radcliffe their first defeat on home soil in almost a month.

The Boro will return to the Neuven Stadium for another home fixture this Tuesday as we lock horns with Peterborough Sports in midweek action.

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