NORTHWICH Victoria are one of only two teams in Division One North able to boast of an unblemished record after recording a fourth successive win.
Jim Gannon’s men share the lead with Scarborough Athletic ahead of Bank Holiday Monday’s derby duel with landlords Witton Albion.
But they were not allowed to relax by Radcliffe.
Bevan Burey fluffed a Boro chance in the first half when he fired high from close range in the second minute.
A worse miss followed midway through the opening period, this time when Tom Hulme failed to hit the target after running onto Kevin McGrath’s through-ball.
He will have felt worse shortly afterwards when Iain Howard drilled in an opening goal after Alex Byrne and Abou Sanogo combined on the right.
Radcliffe goalkeeper Chris Cheetham prevented the visitors from doubling their lead when he saved smartly to deny Jordan Williams after Josh Amis had crossed from the right.
However he was powerless to stop Stuart Cook’s free kick on 66 minutes.
Boro had glimpses of goal; first, Sam McMahon headed wide, then Jack Hindle’s low attempt was gathered by custodian Russell Griffiths.
Byrne was unlucky to be denied by an upright for the second successive match, while Howard’s rising attempt flew over late on.
Radcliffe can be consoled by becoming the first team to score against Vics this season, Hulme applying a finishing touch to Ric Smith’s assist in stoppage time.
Boro | Cheetham (GK), Bardsley (Fitzgerald), Tinker, Ric Smith, Walters, McGrath, Burey, Davies, McMahon, Hulme, Hindle (Amadi) Subs not used Landregan, Valentine, Foster Goal Hulme 90 Booked Walters
Vics | Griffiths (GK), Byrne, Clarke, Krou, Ali, Roddy, Sanogo (Welsby 83), Cook, Amis (Bennett 65), Howard, Williams (Duxbury 74) Sub not used Dane Smith (GK) Goals Howard 32 Cook 66
Attendance 129
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