Stocksbridge Park Steels 0 Radcliffe Borough 1 - KEVIN GLENDON resisted the temptation to ring the changes following some indifferent performances and was rewarded with Radcliffe Borough's first win -- and best showing -- of the season so far.

Scott Wilson replaced the injured Barrie Keeling, the other change being Boro's approach to the game.

On a perfect evening for football and on a perfect Bracken Moor pitch, Boro took full advantage with some neat football and some stubborn and well-organised defending.

Early exchanges saw few chances and early bookings for Steels' Chad Colley and Boro's Eamon Elliott.

Stocksbridge goalkeeper Holmshaw snatched an early chance of Jody Banim's head and Green denied the same player with a timely tackle, whilst at the other end, Hamlet screwed a shot wide when well placed.

Boro were eager to look the better side, with Banim and Neill Hardy showing a much greater appetite for the battle. They constantly harried the home defence and, as a result, always looked capable of breaking the deadlock.

Added to this, Richard Battersby presented a constant threat with some marauding raids down the flank and several dangerous crosses from whch Hardy twice went close to opening the scoring.

Banim turned well and fired just over from long range and just before half-time Hardy played Wilson in, but the tight angle proved too much for the midfielder.

After the break, Boro continued to look the more likely to score. Banim twice fired just over and Hardy always threatened.

Battersby continued to supply a string of crosses and only some desperate Steels' defending kept the scoresheet blank.

The deadlock was eventually broken after 71 minutes. A half cleared corner fell to Banim on the left of the penalty area and a jinking run ended with a low cross which David Bean bundled goalwards, only for the ball tom rebound off the crossbar.

However, Simon Kelly was on hand to turn the ball over the line.

Steels pushed forward looking for an equaliser, but found the Boro defence well-marshalled by Nicky Spooner. Danny Hurst handled safely, cutting out several dangerous crosses, whilst Bean almost increased the lead on 76 minutes, Holmshaw producing a fine save from a close-range header.

Holmshaw gratefully grabbed Banim's 20-yard effort before the striker was replaced by Ian Lunt in the final minute and Lunt it was who almost extended the lead in injury time, but was denied by a desperate tackle.

The final whistle was greeted with some relief, but it would have been an injustice had Boro not collected all three points.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 8, Battersby 8, Whealing 7, Kelly 7, Bean 7, Elliott 7, Spooner 8, Wilson 7, Banim 8, Hardy 8, Price 7. Substitutes: Lunt (for Banim 89 mins). Not used: Landon, Grant.

Barrie Keeling will still be missing through injury when Boro take on Abbey Hey in an FA Cup first qualifying round tie at Stainton Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Boro boss Kevin Glendon was hoping Leigh RMI would allow defender Nicky Spooner to turn out for Boro against Abbey Hey and was also set to sign centre back Martin Diggle, although he would not be able to play in the cup-tie.

The former Worksop player, who hails from the Walmersley area of Bury, could come into contention though for next Tuesday's night's re-arranged league game at home to Matlock Town.

Another defender, Simon Kay, will be available for Saturday's game and will be hoping to be included in the action at some point, although Glendon is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that won at Stocksbridge on Tuesday night.