UniBond League Division One: Radcliffe Borough...2 Rossendale United...1

FORMER fringe player Barrie Keeling may be set to take a leading role after another impressive display in the Boxing Day derby against Rossendale, writes STEVE BOTT.

Keeling held his place in the Boro side as manager Kevin Glendon stuck with the midfield trio of Steve Spencer, Nicky Spooner and Keeling for the second successive game and Keeling topped off another fine show with the matchwinning goal.

After a fairly sluggish start that did little to inspire the festive crowd, Rossendale posed the first threat when Chris Brooks broke clear, only to see his shot blocked by Danny Hurst in the Boro goal.

Richard Landon replied at the other end for Boro when his shot came back off Clitheroe keeper John Gillies' legs.

Jody Banim eventually broke the deadlock against his old club in the 35th minute when he seized on a pass from Landon, rounded Gillies and slotted the ball into the empty net.

It looked like Rossendale had pulled back a timely equaliser just before the break when the lively Gary Williams fired home, only to have the effort ruled out for offside.

So Boro went in holding on to their slender one-goal lead, but it didn't take long for Rossendale to draw level once the second half got under way.

Substitute Carl Stafford burst through the middle to fire past Hurst with alarming ease.

But although Stafford caused one or two more scares in the second half, the Boro defence held firm.

Boro boss Glendon made a double substitution on the hour, sending on Eamon Elliott and Will Archer for David Bean and Landon.

Four minutes later Boro got the goal that proved to be decisive when a cross came in from the left and Keeling headed home emphatically to cap another impressive display in midfield.

The game ended as it had started, with little outstanding action, but, in the end, Boro held out to chalk up their eighth successive league victory.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 7, Battersby 6, Whealing 6, Kay 7, Bean 7, Spencer 7, Spooner 7, Keeling 8, Landon 7, Banim 7, Price 7. Substitutes: Archer (for Landon, 60 mins) 6, Elliott (for Bean, 60 mins) 6. Not used: Gibson.