RADCLIFFE Borough’s returning folk hero Jody Banim was on song again as he inspired a spectacular comeback after his side conceded the early intiative to their Derbyshire rivals.

The Stainton Park men looked disjointed at the start and Eddie Stanford’s tame free kick from 20 yards was their only attempt on goal early on.

Boro were punished for their slow start when Alex Steadman was left unmarked to open the scoring on the 10th minute to give the UniBond Division One South side a deserved lead. Indeed, the Mickleover hitman could have had a hat-trick by the time he hit the net. Only seconds into the game he went close with a drive from just outside the penalty area before seeing his fourth minute shot cannon off the legs of Lloyd Rigby in the Radcliffe goal.

However, Boro reacted well after conceding and managed to claw their way back by keeping the ball.

Banim showed his star quality in the 27th minute when he completed an individual move to level before firing the Stainton Park club ahead two minutes later with a goal out of nothing.

The balance of the match had swung in Boro’s favour as Gerry Luczka’s men cut through Mickleover as if they were a team of schoolboys.

It was only a matter of time before the hosts increased their lead, Eddie Stanford’s speculative shot from the edge of the penalty area dribbling through the keeper’s hands in the 37th minute.

Banim was again the key to Boro’s fourth goal as his perfectly judged pass split the visitors’ defence and left Tom Brooks with the simple task of making it 4-1 with only 41 minutes played.

It got even better for Boro on the stroke of half time as Alistair Brown’s cross found Brooks, who nodded home from six yards.

Mickleover pulled a goal back through Kieran Connell nine minutes after the restart, thanks to some slack defending by Boro.

Mickleover never laid down and continued to press. They were rewarded in the 61st miunute when Steadman grabbed his second to cap an eye-catching display, tapping home from close range.

Any hope of a spectacular comeback was dashed three minutes from time when Stanford swooped to restore the three-goal cushion with a shot into the bottom corner.

Boro are back in FA Cup action on Saturday with a jaunt to Workington Town for the third qualifying round tie.