THEY were given an almighty scare by the Tangerines but Boro avoided being 'Tango-ed' by a team from a lower division to progress to the next round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.

First Division side Colwyn Bay were the visitors to the Inn2gether Stadium and looked to have taken the game into extra-time when they equalised Steve Foster's opening goal with just eleven minutes remaining in normal time.

However, Boro stepped on the gas and goals from midfield duo Ged Murphy and Gary Sampson sealed Radcliffe's passage into the next round.

The game had started at a lively pace with both midfields trading crunching tackles before Bay had the first chances of the game when Danny Hurst saved from Chris Hogg twice before Simon Burton's follow-up was cleared from the line.

The impressive Alex Kevan then went close with a rasping drive from 35 yards before Boro got into their stride and saw Sampson's jinking run ended in the penalty area just as the playmaker was about to shoot.

Steve Foster and Rod Thornley had efforts easily saved by Bay keeper Faral Jackson before Danny Hooper rattled the crossbar with a curling free-kick.

Frank Mottram almost made Lee Duffy pay for giving the ball away but Hurst was again to the rescue before Thornley dithered when presented with another fine chance after some good work from Foster.

Boro were much the better side in the second period and should have opened the scoring when Murphy headed wide from a corner.

However, it only took ten minutes of the second half for Boro to open their account when Foster showed poise and composure to round Jackson and slot the ball home after he was put in the clear by an instinctive ball from strike partner Thornley.

The home strike duo then adopted a shoot-on-sight policy and both saw efforts sail over the bar before Hurst was again called into action with another top drawer save - this time with his feet!

The Welsh side drew level in calamitous fashion when Boro substitute Darren Bowman turned into his own net. Burton's shot had hit the post and re-bounded on to the on-loan Boro midfielder, who could only watch in disbelief as the ball rippled the onion bag.

Boro were roused into action and re-took the lead five minutes before the end when Murphy stole in front of his marker and glanced home Tony Whealing's corner.

And, four minutes later, Sampson struck from another corner after another lapse in the Bay defence.

Sampson could have had another but he was wrongly deemed off-side from Foster's delightful through-ball but Boro's work was done - thanks to a solid team effort.

Right through from Hurst in goal, who made a series of stunning saves, to the front pair, Boro worked hard and fully deserve their place in the hat for the next round.

Manager Kevin Glendon said: "We did well to come through in a difficult game. Colwyn Bay are looking like they can grab promotion and we worked hard to get the win.

"We played some good football and we are playing as a team. Let's hope we can continue our form this weekend."

Boro: Hurst 8, Duffy 7, Whealing 7, Kelly 7, Hooper 7 (Bowman 6), McGuire 7, Murphy 7, Sampson 7, Thornley 7, Foster 7, Heald 7 (Forrest 6). Not used: Barrass.

l Last weekend, Boro drew 0-0 at Wakefield and Emley with Foster and Hooper going closest for Boro.

l On Saturday, Boro travel to second-placed Frickley Athletic, 3pm kick-off.

MARC HIGGINSON