BORO'S season got off to an inauspicious start as bad luck, questionable refereeing and a slow start all conspired to see Andy Johnston's side slip to an opening day defeat.

Boro were pedestrian out of the blocks, and could only watch as an off-side goal and dodgy penalty saw them 2-0 down before they had even switched on.

Boro came roaring back and were rewarded with Ian Kearney's second-half strike, before Kendal hit Boro on the break for the fourth and final goal of the match.

Boro should have been boosted on kick-off, with long-term injury victim Stephen Hill surprisingly included in the starting line-up, but it was Kendal who dominated the early exchanges.

And, it was no surprise when they took the lead on seven minutes, although there was some debate as to whether the goal should have been flagged off-side.

Lee Ashcroft flicked a through-ball on to David Foster, and the Town striker made no mistake to strike first blood for the Cumbrians.

Loanee Kieran Walmsley then rattled the Boro woodwork from a 35-yard free-kick, while Ashcroft also went close with an effort that was easily saved by Hurst.

Tony Evans fired in a shot for Boro, but it was Kendal who scored the second of the match, when Ian Kearney was harshly adjudged to have fouled Ian Kilford. Ashcroft stepped up, and sent Hurst the wrong way to help his side into the break 2-0 up.

Boro were a totally different team in the second half, with Lee Duffy looking threatening down the right and the midfield starting to get to grips with the game.

Simon Kelly shot just wide from Andy Heald's dangerous free-kick, and Scott Wilson fired in a long-range effort before Johnston's men reduced the arrears.

It was Heald again who delivered an inch-perfect cross, that was glanced home by the impressive Kearney to send the travelling Boro support into raptures.

However, the joy was short-lived as Boro were caught on the break six minutes later when Ged Smith headed home Walmsley's fantastic free-kick.

Boro kept on trying, and introduced Pat McFadden and Jamie Miller up-front. Both players looked lively and forced Ben Hinchcliffe into a couple of decent saves, while Heald tested the keeper with some low shots on an uneven surface.

However, it was not Boro's day and they will have to improve if they want to mount a promotion challenge this season.

Manager Johnston said: "I thought we started a little tentative and nervous, and to be fair to Kendal they closed us down very quickly in the first 15 minutes.

"I don't want to start bemoaning decisions, but their first goal was definitely offside without question and the penalty decision was ludicrous, and it all added up to an uncomfortable start.

"The second half was really one way, with them breaking away at times, and if we could have taken one of the opportunities we created to draw level, I really felt we could have gone onto win it.

"But, Kendal's third goal killed the fight off. It is a funny game as they say, as the score line really makes it look like we were taken to the cleaners but Danny (Hurst) had very little to do."

Boro: Hurst, Duffy, Hill, Kelly, Kearney, Warner, Wilson, Forrest, Evans (McFadden), Lugsden (Miller), Heald.

KENDAL TOWN 3 RADCLIFFE BORO 1