Radcliffe continued their 100-per-cent start to the league campaign with an ultimately comprehensive 4-0 win against Atherton Collieries in testing and toasty conditions at the Skuna Stadium.

For the majority of the first half, the game was an even affair with both teams claiming their fair share of chances, Jordan Scanlon most notably recording a shot deflected wide for the Colls.

The Boro scored the goal which made the difference going into half time, however, Rick Smith heading home at the back post with a deflection off Nico Defreitas-Hansen.

Though the first half was an even match-up, Colls gifted Radcliffe the perfect start to the second, with Ben Rydel adjudged to have fouled Jordan Hulme for a penalty, converted by Josh Hancock.

For the next 20 minutes, Boro were in the ascendancy, and Hulme notched a third while the Collieries struggled to regroup from the penalty.

Defender Jude Oyibo, who has been in fine form for the visitors this campaign, continued his goalscoring exploits, being found completely unmarked from a fast break to tap home a Radcliffe fourth.

As the Colls rediscovered their footing, Rio Pemberton provided a late spark following his introduction from the subs bench, and beat the goalkeeper with a thunderous volley from a Lewis Mansell lay-off only to be inches wide of the post.

On Saturday, the Black and White Stripes are in FA Cup action as they visit old rivals Ashton United (3pm).