ALSAGER TOWN...0, RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...1

FA Cup First Qualifying Round

BORO made hard work of overcoming a team two leagues below them in the non-league pyramid.

Alsager had their chances but a late Phil Denney goal was enough to see the visitors through to face either Northern League First Division outfit Shildon, or Unibond First Division side Woodley Sports, at Stainton Park on Saturday October 2.

Boro began with Jamie Baguley replacing Steve Spencer in midfield and Steve Foster partnering Phil Denney up front. Rory Patterson dropped to the bench.

Boro looked like they were going to overrun the NWCFL First Division side when, as early as the second minute there was a shout for a penalty, as the returning Scott Wilson went over in a goalmouth scramble, but none was given.

Boro's quick passing on an excellent surface threatened a hesitant Town defence, however, Baguley, Wilson, Simon Kelly and Lee Duffy, joining the attack at every available opportunity, were generally well contained.

Richard Battersby threaded a ball through for Baguley to set up Denney, but the effort was blocked and Wilson showed great persistence to create a chance for Foster, but again the Town defence managed to close ranks.

Town gradually got more into the game, growing in confidence as Boro failed to convert their superior approach work into goals.

In their first serious attack in the 12th minute, Town won a corner which fell to Peter Heler 25 yards out and his low drive brought a fine full-length diving save out of Danny Hurst.

Boro always looked the more likely of the two to break the deadlock, but clear cut chances were proving elusive.

Denney toiled away trying to forge a partnership with Foster and both found themselves with half chances that Town managed to keep out.

Denney headed wide from a teasing Battersby cross and Baguley forced a good save out of Rob Powner, before Foster slipped as he turned on Denney's head-down.

Town almost caught them on the break, but Hurst was quickly off his line to force Dave Walker wide and then Steve Elks headed wide from a corner.

Town emerged for the second half prepared to have a go at Boro and the game developed into an end-to-end affair.

Heler was proving a handful as Town began to force a number of corners, but Boro's defence held firm and when they broke forward Duffy and Battersby combined well to threaten down the right.

Several times neat work almost forced an opening but Boro couldn't find the final quality ball to carve open the home defence.

Simon Carden replaced Baguley in the 57th minute and he almost capitalised on Denney's flicked head-on.

While Kelly headed Battersby's free kick wide, Wilson had an effort tipped away and Duffy's follow-up drifted wide.

Town goalkeeper Powner was then alert to block from Battersby and collect a dangerous Duffy cross.

The game was heading for a draw when the breakthrough eventually materialised with just seven minutes remaining.

Foster chased a ball down the right and delivered a cross-shot from wide out.

Powner, anticipating the cross had to backtrack and he managed to palm the ball on to the cross bar, but Denney was quick to react and converted from close range.

Carden then overran the ball after rounding Powner and Foster almost wrapped it up from Denney's flick-on, but Towner got down well to smother.

BORO: Hurst, Duffy, Battersby, Kelly, Luker, Hill, Baguley, Wilson, Denney, Foster, Price. Subs: George, Spencer, Carden (for Baguley, 57), Patterson.