Bernard and Jonno’s side scored two on the night, but Glen Taylor’s hat-trick slumped the Boro to a 3-2 defeat at The Brewery Field, despite late drama after Lois Maynard’s consolation deep into added time.

The two teams took a little bit of time to find their feet after the balling got rolling, with Radcliffe dominating possession but Spennymoor looking the more deadly side when entering the final third.

Mateusz Hewelt was called into action on the 19-minute mark as Matty Dolan struck a set piece from 30 yards out following a foul on Glen Taylor, the Pole managed to tip the ball around the post and away to safety.

A minute later, Spennymoor opened the scoring. Reece Staunton bypassed his man to burst into a pocket of space on the left flank before digging out a cross for the unmarked Taylor at the back post, who buried the ball beyond Hewelt.

The Boro didn’t let that stop their fight though, making the game all square moments later. Matt Sargent picked up Jordan Hulme’s flick into the final third allowing the Welshman to drive towards goal, then opting to lay the ball off to Danny Greenfield who confidently slotted into the bottom left corner against his former side.

There was end-to-end action at the latter stages of the half with both outfits working hard to edge in front before the break. Taylor’s powerful shot was met by Hewelt with a palmed save across to his left, and a minute later, Tom Walker rose highest to meet Brad Jackson’s inviting cross but the former Fylde man couldn’t keep his header down from a glorious position.

With the scoreline level at half-time, the restart presented an opportunity to create a fast start and stun the opposition from the off once more, and it was Spennymoor who took full advantage.

Seconds after Graeme Lee’s side hit the woodwork with a thunderous effort from 30+ yards out, the hosts got their noses in front and Taylor netted his second of the evening, taking Ramshaw’s lay off in his stride with a side-footed finish into the top corner of the net.

Radcliffe were left frustrated with 66 minutes on the clock when Hulme attempted an unorthodox overhead kick which looked to be nestling into the far side of the net with Brad James beaten, but Taylor popped up with perfect defensive duties to clear off the line, going agonisingly close to restoring parity for the second time.

Three minutes later, Spennymoor Town extended their lead to two after Walker was deemed to have clipped his man on the left side of the box, giving the opportunity for Taylor to seal his hat-trick from the spot. The ever-present striker converted into the bottom right corner, sending Hewelt the wrong way in the process before wheeling away in celebration.

With nothing to lose, Radcliffe brought on all five substitutes in an attempt to roll the dice and add new energy to the team. A couple of chances went begging as the game edged closer to the 90-minute mark, but there was a glimmer of hope for the Boro deep into added time.

Lois Maynard headed home via Greenfield’s delivery from the left corner flag and there was behalf in the travelling camp that Radcliffe had the time to try and level the match in stunning fashion, but it wasn’t to be as the referee’s full-time whistle sounded at The Brewery Field, confirming that all three points were staying in County Durham.

The Boro are on the road again this Saturday as we travel to the MGroup Stadium to lock horns with Oxford City.

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