Radcliffe were brought back down to earth with a bump in a heavy defeat to a rampant Colwyn Bay side on Bank holiday Monday.

The Welsh side responded superbly to their FA Cup preliminary round exit at the hands of Vodkat North West Counties Premier League side against St Helens in their last outing and left Boro floundering in their wake with an impressive display of fluid attacking football.

In fairness, Boro were rocked in the early minutes when left back Owen Roberts had to leave the field with an ankle injury, forcing a reshuffle in their back line.

Colwyn Bay opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a flick header from Lee Davey looped over a stranded Phil Priestley and set the tone for what was to come. The next goal followed six minutes later when a cross whipped in from the right wing was converted from six yards by ex-Tranmere defender Dave Challinor.

Throughout the half Boro had little in terms of meaningful possession but were at least able to stem the flow until the half hour when Kevin Holsgrove cut in from the left and sent a curling effort into the bottom corner to put the visitors 3-0 up.

Two more goals before the break saw Boro’s reserves of confidence ebb away and left them looking a shadow of the team that had started the season in such inspired form.

James Dunn added the fourth on 31 minutes and Robert Hopley completed the misery for Boro by making it 5-0 from the penalty spot on 38 minutes.

While the second half was more of an even contest two goals from Thomas McGill on 55 and 58 minutes completed the scoring and left Boro with little but their pride to play for during the remainder of the match.

Despite dropping several of their more experienced players for this game, Colwyn Bay were far and away the most impressive side that Radcliffe have faced this season and a result such as this may provide a reality check to those who may have become carried away by Boro’s recent wins against lesser opposition.

However, sixth position in the league table is not to sniffed at and Radcliffe will bid to return to winning ways in their upcoming home game against Curzon Ashton on Saturday.