ALL of a sudden, things are looking a lot more rosier at Stainton Park for Radcliffe Boro after two draws on the road in a week.

A 0-0 draw with Grantham was followed up with an impressive 2-2 draw at big-spending Burscough on Tuesday night, and manager Andy Johnston is backing his team to get even better.

"It was weird on Tuesday night because we were really pleased with the display, but the lads were coming into the dressing room with their heads down because we hadn't won," said Johnston.

"We created a lot more chances on Tuesday than we had been doing in recent games, and their keeper (Matt Boswell) kept them in it with some fine saves. We told the lads at half-time that they will never have a better chance of beating Burscough on their own patch, and we nearly pulled it off. It's encouraging to see the way we played against a team that has a much larger squad - and wage bill.

"I've told the lads now to look at it as two games unbeaten. If we beat Frickley tomorrow then things look quite healthy. And, I expect us to beat Frickley. We are at home, Frickley are in a bit of turmoil on and off the pitch and we are playing well."

And, Johnston was fulsome in his praise for a few of his players - in particular his current strike-force of Chris Downey and the on-loan Ian Fitzpatrick.

"Chris played well on Tuesday and was unlucky in a couple of one-on-one showdowns with their keeper. Fitzy' showed glimpses of what he can do on Saturday, but he really impressed everyone on Tuesday with his all-round game. He looked really lively and deserved his goal," said Johnston.

"What was encouraging on Tuesday was the amount of talent that couldn't get into the team. Matty O'Neill and Pat McFadden were on the bench, while Tony Evans, Andy Heald and Ryan Fisher weren't even in the squad.

"That means the players in possession have to play really well to keep their places - and they know that now.

"Tony Whealing has got a chance on the left and really took it. Both of our goals at Burscough were from Whealing deliveries and he offers us a potent weapon at set-plays. We would like to have someone as effective from set-plays on the right, and we think we could have that in Scott Warner, but we want Scott on the edge of the area at the same time.

"Equally, Lee Duffy played very well at Burscough. He put in one cross on Tuesday night that was simply superb and it only needed a touch to make it a goal. The fact that nobody got on the end of it was disappointing and we did bring that up in the dressing room at half-time.

"Lee has more opportunity to get forward when Matty isn't playing and there isn't anyone better at running at defenders at pace. When he is in full flow, he is really difficult to stop."

For tomorrow's clash with Frickley, Heald is due to start a three-match suspension while Simon Kelly and Ian Kearney are minor doubts. Jamie Miller is still struggling with injury, but Tony Evans comes back into the equation after a minor niggle cleared up.

"I would love to put the same team out and keep some continuity," said Johnston.

"However, Simon has a dead leg from Saturday and Ian is still stiff from running a half marathon at the weekend for charity.

"Both of them battled through on Tuesday and I expect they will be fine for the weekend. However, we have to be prepared if they are not and Martyn Forrest would drop into defence if need be."