RADCLIFFE picked up their first ever win at home in National League North following Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Leamington and joint-boss Anthony Johnson admitted it was a long time coming.
Johnson is now challenging his side to back up the win with another three points at home to Rushall Olympic on Saturday.
Jordan Hulme netted the winner at the Neuven Stadium after Henry Landers had cancelled out Rick Smith’s brilliant first half opener.
It rounded off an impressive few days for Boro who drew 0-0 at leaders Scunthorpe United at the weekend.
Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side have now picked up three wins - having enjoyed victories on the road at Brackley and South Shields - and a draw from the last six games as they settle in to playing at the higher level.
“It’s been a long time coming, it was a good performance,” said Johnson after Tuesday night’s win
“For the first 70-75 minutes, I thought we were outstanding, first half I thought we were brilliant.”
Smith broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when the defender intercepted a Leamington pass, drove forward and fired home from distance.
Landers levelled for the visitors with just over half an hour to go but Hulme once again came up with the goods, taking a touch before firing home a drilled cross from Brad Jackson.
Boro then stood firm as Leamington went in search of an equaliser.
“We knew we were going to come under pressure but I thought we handled the pressure really well,” added Johnson.
“It was not the type of game we generally lose...from a performance point of view we were dead happy. Really pleased with the performance.”
Radcliffe are 21st in National League North on 14 points and have a chance to climb out of the relegation places when they host bottom-of-the-table Rushall Olympic on Saturday.
Johnson knows it won’t be an easy task against a side who have a game in hand following their FA Cup exploits but he is hoping to be able to back up Tuesday’s historic first home win at this level.
“We knew that if we perform well, we will more or less get the result,” he said. “I thought the performance was very good.
“Rushall picked up a point against Needham Market (on Tuesday night), the gap between them and us is nothing.
“They know beating us leap-frogs us so. Confidence has got better. We have been on a decent run, not a good run let’s not get away from the fact that it has been a good run because it hasn’t. It’s been a decent run.
“Great getting a win on a Tuesday night at home but you have got to back it up.
“Good sides back results up like we did at Brackley and South Shields.
“Hopefully we have a full squad to pick from on Saturday and try and back it up with a good performance and three points.”
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