Eccleshill United 2-4 Grimsby Borough

JOINT boss Nigel Fanthorpe has praised his Grimsby Borough side for winning the "toughest" away game in the league – and wants more of the same form at newcomers Clipstone Welfare tomorrow.

The Wilderness Boys visit the Northern Counties East League Division One new boys after ending a run of three defeats in all competitions with a 4-2 victory at Bradford-based Eccleshill United in midweek.

But Fanthorpe and co-boss Steve Newby expect another tough test for mid-table Borough tomorrow – Clipstone have lost their last two matches but lie fourth in the standings after a four-game winning streak earlier in the season.

Fanthorpe, inset, said: "We don't know a lot about Clipstone; they are one of four new teams in the league this season. But we'll make sure our players are up for what will be another tough challenge."

Borough will be without centre-back Sean Baker but are expecting to have some players back from injury.

Borough took the lead on eight minutes against Eccleshill when, after Mark Courtly and Andy Taylor linked up, Lewis Buckthorp smashed a 30-yard strike into the top corner.

The hosts equalised after being quickest to react to the rebound from a brilliant long-range shot, before Charlie Flaherty found the top corner from 20 yards to give Eccleshill the lead.

Borough levelled before the break, though, through top-scorer Taylor on 44 minutes.

With new signing Scott Raworth impressing at left-back, Borough took the lead midway into the second half when John Taylor cut in and arrowed the ball home.

Taylor then netted a second, chipping the keeper after a strong run from Steve Davies, to wrap up victory.

Fanthorpe added: "Eccleshill is always the toughest trip in the league. This was undoubtedly our best away performance to date given it was a two-hour journey, with players having to get away from work early."