KEVIN GLENDON's search for a striker goes on with the new season just a day away.

The Radcliffe Borough boss has made it plain he is still not happy with his strike force as he searches for a replacement for Neill Hardy and strives to come up with the right combination up front.

Ironically, Hardy, who hit 22 goals for Boro last season before joining Stockport County, was on the sidelines watching as Glendon tried yet another strike partnership at the Riverside on Tuesday night.

Tom Beach and Jodie Banim were drafted in from Accrington Stanley and Rossendale United respectively, but neither made much of an impact in the 58 minutes they were on the field, though Banim came back on later and Glendon was hoping to sign him permanently.

Beach missed a couple of gilt-edged chances when he was through on goal as Radcliffe had the better of the play in the first half.

But it was Ramsbottom's Russell Brierley who showed Radcliffe the way to goal when he tapped in a cross from the right in the 49th minute.

That proved to be the only score of a lacklustre game and prompted several spectators to suggest that Glendon might do a lot worse than turn to Brierley to solve his problems up front. The question is would he be able to afford him even if he was available, which he most certainly is not. There were more plusses than minuses for Ramsbottom boss Mike Kelly as his injury-hit side surprised a few people by pulling off something of a shock result against their UniBond League Division One neighbours.

Kelly admitted Radcliffe played Ramsbottom off the park for football, but just lacked that cutting edge up front.

Neil Rhodes did well for the Rams after being drafted into their problem area in the centre of defence, as did Dave Roach when he came on as a second half substitute.

And there was another pleasing performance from 18-year-old goalkeeper Danny Caldwell when he came on to replace Keith Nield in the second half.

Neil Wallace limped away from the action after being substituted at half-time, adding to Kelly's central defensive headaches.

But the Rams have some breathing space as they are not in league action until next Tuesday when they take on Fleetwood Freeport at home (kick-off 7.45pm), whereas Radcliffe need to come up with a striking solution fast before Saturday's opening game at Eastwood Town.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Nield, Brennan, Wallace, Rhodes, Thomas, White, Porter, Walsh, Brierley, Yorke-Robinson, Goodall. Substitutes: Caldwell, Entwistle, Heyes, Brookes, Fitzpatrick, Roach, Lomas.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst, Battersby, Whealing, S Kelly, G Wilson, Bean, E Kelly, S Wilson, Beach, Banim, Price. Substitutes: Kissock, Landon, Collins, Elliott, Cain, Lunt.