MARC HIGGINSON takes a brief look at how Radcliffe Boro have shaped up during the last twelve months.

IT'S been a trying year for Boro as they missed out on a play-off place last season before enduring a horrific run of results in the early exchanges of this campaign.

Thankfully, the team have showed signs of turning the tide in recent weeks with consistency creeping into their results column.

Boro finished their 2004-05 campaign with a flourish by beating Bridlington (3-1), Frickley (3-2), Burscough (4-2) and Prescot (2-1) in the closing stages.

Things looked good for the start of the current season with the blossoming strike partnership between Steve Foster and Ciaran Kilheeney complementing a strong back-line, led by Simon Kelly and much sought after keeper Danny Hurst.

However, things went pear-shaped when Hurst broke his wrist in a pre-season clash with Southport, Kilheeney left just weeks into the season and Lee Duffy and Stephen Hill picked up long-term injuries.

Manager Kevin Glendon said: "We have had some terrible luck with injuries all year.

"We have had our fair share of hamstring strains and little knocks like everyone else, plus long-term injuries to Danny Hurst, Lee Duffy, Andy Heald, Stephen Hill and Steve Spencer.

"If we had a run of getting everyone on the pitch at the same time we would do very well because we are only two or three players short of being a very, very good team."

Boro currently stand in the lower reaches of the UniBond League but the manager is confident his side can still attain a play-off place.

Glendon said: "We have looked far more solid in recent weeks and we just need another striker now. There's no reason why we can't string some more wins together and move up the table."