RADCLIFFE Boro are set to re-sign former striker Ian Lunt. The player who was a crowd favourite at Stainton Park and leading goalscorer for the three seasons, netting 28 in Boro's 1996/97 Championship season, sensationally quit the club last term following relegation. The manner of his departure for Stalybridge Celtic left a cloud that will not be quick to disperse as his about-turn came after he had pledged to stand by Boro.

Manager Kevin Glendon explains: "I'm prepared to give Luntie a second chance. A lot of things were said at the time of his departure and I made my feelings clear at that time.

"But he is keen to return to the club and we would like to have him back. He has to recognise the situation because we have three quality strikers and he is aware that he has to start all over again. I'm sure I speak for both parties when I say Ian definitely has a point to prove."

Boro travel to Flixton tonight for a Unibond First Division game with Gary Henshaw fit again after injury. Atherton LR had to fight all the way to clinch a place in the semi-finals of the Goldline Trophy in Association with the Bolton Evening News with a penalty shoot-out victory over Eagley last night.

The first half saw Rovers gain the upper hand after a scrappy start, with Eagley keeper Nick Bond saving superbly on three occasions to deny lively home striker Jonathan Dunne.

The Villagers struck a post five minutes after the interval and restricted the North Western Trains League side to breakaways throughout the second half. With three minutes left Sammy Cowan hit a scorcher which shaved the crossbar followed quickly by a Bentham effort that suffered the same fate. The first period of extra time saw Eagley break the deadlock when Martin Price sprinted through to side-foot past Price.

Falling back to defend that lead proved Eagley's undoing as Steve Bird equalised. The shoot-out saw each keeper beaten in turn until Lee Dean missed for Eagley and Mike Smith scored for LR.

LR's league game at Maine Road scheduled for tonight has been postponed as the Stretford club face a Vase replay.

Atherton Colls travel to Clitheroe tomorrow night. RAMSBOTTOM United have been drawn away at Bedlington Terriers in the next round of the FA Vase.

"It's the draw that no-one else wanted," explained secretary John Maher. "I've looked it up on the map and it's almost in Scotland!"

The Rams play Darwen tomorrow night in the Floodlit Trophy.

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