PROLIFIC forward Danny Mitchley scored twice as in-form Kendal made it three wins on the spin against lowly Radcliffe Borough.

First-half goals from the former Blackpool frontman ensured the Mintcakes held an interval lead despite Matt Landregan replying for the visitors and Rob Wilson’s missed penalty.

The game was made safe with a clinical second period as a Daniel Lafferty own goal and strikes from Warren Beattie and Zach Clark secured maximum points for the hosts.

Dave Foster made one change to his starting line-up from the previous week’s win at Ossett Albion with Jack Smith replacing Ross Lloyd at right-back.

Although possibly more significant was the sight of Beattie’s name among the substitutes – the midfielder’s first involvement since suffering knee ligament damage in mid-October.

The home side opened the scoring after quarter of an hour, Mitchley sweeping past Radcliffe keeper Chris Cheetham after Clark’s ball from the left was only half-cleared.

Mitchley and Wilson both came close before Kendal spurned the opportunity to double their advantage on 25 minutes after the onrushing Cheetham brought down Maison McGeechan in the penalty area.

Wilson – who scored from the spot against Mossley in Town’s last game at Parkside Road – dragged his effort wide of Cheetham’s right-hand post.

With one win in five games, Radcliffe were bright in attack but failed to overly trouble Danny MacDonald in the Kendal goal until equalising on 32 minutes.

Former Nantwich Town striker Landregan scored his ninth of the campaign, forcing the ball home after Dave Sherlock’s deep cross was played into his path by Bradley Robinson.

Four minutes later, after McGeechan’s downward header from a Callum Hoctor cross was turned behind by Cheetham, Mitchley restored Kendal’s lead with a contender for goal of the season.

The 24-year-old produced a first-time finish into the top corner from 20 yards – his 19th strike of the season – after Clark took advantage of a defensive error.

Following the re-start, Kevin Brown’s diving header was deflected behind for a corner before Cheetham palmed away McGeechan’s snap-shot from Danny Coid’s intelligent pass.

And Kendal were firmly in the ascendancy after 56 minutes as Lafferty glanced a teasing McGeechan cross from the right flank past his own keeper.

Shortly afterwards, MacDonald made an impressive save to deny his opposite number, diving backwards and tipping over as Cheetham’s kick downfield caught the wind and looked destined for goal.

Kendal made the game safe on 66 minutes after Wilson’s corner was headed clear as far as Beattie, with his shot from the edge of the box taking a deflection on its way past Cheetham.

This was Beattie’s first goal since returning to the club earlier in the campaign, with the ex-Northwich Victoria midfielder a big loss during his enforced 15-game absence.

Very few chances were created in the remainder of the game until gloss was added to a solid all-round Kendal performance with two minutes left on the clock.

Clark latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Coid, outpaced the Radcliffe defence before producing a smart finish past Cheetham.

After three successive league victories, Kendal are now seventh in the division’s standings, ten points behind Bamber Bridge who currently occupy in the final play-off spot.

Kendal Town: Danny MacDonald, Jack Smith, Callum Hoctor, Rob Wilson, Will Bell, Kevin Brown, Mike Rushton (Warren Beattie 56), Danny Coid, Danny Mitchley (Colin Watson 78), Maison McGeechan (Oli Mathieson 84), Zach Clark. Subs not used: Ross Lloyd, Craig Dootson

Radcliffe Borough: Chris Cheetham, Kenna Ngoma, David Sherlock, Jake Hibbs, James Mullineux, Daniel Lafferty, Bevon Burley, Richard Wright (Kevin Sansay 46), Matt Landregan (James Green 83), Bradley Robinson, Chris Thompson (Jake Parker 67). Subs not used: /

Attendance: 126