RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...3 SOUTHPORT...2: HAVING played five league clubs so far in pre-season, Boro finally got to grips with a fellow non-league side and showed their performances against Shrewsbury, Bury, Stockport, Bolton, and of course Manchester United, were no flashes in the pan.

Having tasted defeat twice last season at the hands of Southport in the Unibond Premier (2-1 away and 3-1 at home), it was perhaps fitting that the Conference North side were the first of this season's non-league victims, thanks to a double strike from Phil Denney and a goal from Rory Patterson.

Boro began at a frantic pace, winning two corners within the opening two minutes, but with just three on the clock they went a goal behind.

Breaking out of defence the Sandgrounders fed the ball out to Kevin Leadbetter, and the jet-heeled winger tore down the touchline.

When he reached the Boro 18-yard box he swung over a cross that debutante Gordon Armstrong looked likely to clear, but he missed with a diving header and Southport striker Steve Daley controlled the ball and struck a sweet shot past Boro's stand-in goalie Barry George to give the visitors the lead.

On 26 minutes the telepathic understanding between Leadbetter and Daley was again on show with the former setting up the latter, but this time he blasted his effort way over George's bar.

But two minutes later the pair struck again.

From yet another break out from defence, Leadbetter raced down the left before cutting inside and shooting.

George was down smartly to block the shot but the rebound fell kindly for Daley and he fired in his and his side's second goal of the evening.

After another Leadbetter shot was saved by George Boro were presented with a golden opportunity to pull a goal back.

After 35 minutes they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out from the Southport goal on the right.

The ball was curled into the visitors' penalty area and captain for the night Simon Kelly got his head to it, only to see his header hit the post and bounce to safety.

The half was rounded off by another fine save from Boro Youth keeper George, who this time used his speed and feet to race off his line and dispossess Daley in the 'D'.

Despite finding themselves 2-0 down Boro never let their heads drop and came out for the second half with all guns blazing.

Within two minutes of the restart Patterson was denied by 'Port keeper Steve Dickinson, but he could do nothing to prevent Boro's opener a minute later.

Substitute Foster won the ball out by the right corner flag, then slipped his marker and fired in a chest-high cross that was met by Phil Denney, who appropriately used his chest to force the ball over the line with the keeper stranded.

Boro looked odds-on to net an equaliser on 72 minutes, when Patterson showed great ball control to beat his marker out on the right and send over an inch perfect cross to Steve Foster, who had slipped his marker at the left post.

But somehow, from no more than a yard out, he contrived to flick the ball onto the post and the chance went begging.

However six minutes later he made amends.

Davey Luker pressured the Southport right-back Jimmy Williams and dispossessed him on his own by-line. He fed the ball back to Foster whose crossed it into the visitors' box. It was met by Denney, who outjumped his markers to head home his second and his side's equaliser.

Southport were well and truly shell shocked by this point, so it was no surprise when the home side grabbed a winner three minutes from time.

Denney, having bagged a brace became provider. His downward header on the edge of the Southport box was controlled by Patterson and the former Rochdale striker calmly turned his marker before blasting a rising shot past Dickinson to guarantee Boro the win.

On Saturday Boro travel up to the north east to face Albany Northern League First Division outfit, Durham City at the Archibalds Stadium.

Phil Denney will be missing, but he has a good excuse - he's getting married!