CARETAKER boss Michael Stringfellow put his name firmly into contention for the permanent role as he guided Kendal to their first win of the season in a convincing performance against Radcliffe Borough.

Following Dave Foster's departure last week, Stringfellow expressed an interest in the job and he could not have wished for a better start as the Mintcakes recorded their first three points of the season in eight attempts.

A first-half strike from skipper Warren Beattie gave Kendal the lead but Jack Hindle restored parity shortly after.

Kieran Pickup, now Kendal's leading goalscorer with three goals, gave the home side the advantage again before a late Rob Wilson effort ensured victory.

Playing in his final match before heading to Australia, Maison McGeechan wrapped up the victory with a well-taken chip.

Stringfellow made four changes to the side that were beaten by Mossley FC last Saturday.

With Dave Stevenson and Ricky Mercer unavailable, Danny MacDonald was back between the sticks while Beattie reverted to central defence.

Tommy Watson filled in for Beattie in central midfield, Craig Carney replaced Reece Fishwick and Mark Jackson, returning from suspension, came in for Mike Rushton.

It was Kendal who started the brightest and they were rewarded for their fast start when Beattie struck after 14 minutes.

Kieran Walmsley and McGeechan exchanged a one-two at a short corner before Rory Winters met a deep cross at the back post. He nodded down to his centre back partner who fired emphatically past the dive of visiting keeper Chris Cheetham.

But the lead only lasted four minutes. Hindle got onto the end of a cross-come-shot before taking a touch and calmly tucking under MacDonald.

And the goal looked to have given the visitors confidence. Hindle shot wide, lively winger Samuel Grimshaw's effort was well saved and Winters almost put into his own goal as Radcliffe piled on the pressure.

A last ditch Beattie sliding tackle ensured the scores remained level at half-time.

Kendal returned to the pitch revitalised and could have taken the lead again after 60 minutes when Carney broke from midfield, skipped past a couple of challenges and fired at goal.

Five minutes later and Pickup got his name on the scoresheet for the second home game in a row. Jackson pulled down a long Winters pass and found Pickup in He shaped to shoot, shifted a yard of space and curled delightfully in to the top corner.

The game tightened up as Kendal looked to be easing to victory. But Radcliffe had a glorious chance to draw level when Winters' back header fell at the feet of substitute Elliot Rokka who had time and space but finished poorly.

Radcliffe were made to pay for their wastefulness when Wilson secured the three points after 88 minutes. McGeechan's cross was headed out to the waiting Wilson, whose deflected effort nestled into the bottom corner.

McGeechan put gloss on the performance when he brought down a Lydon Hodgkiss pass before chipping the onrushing Cheetham with almost the last kick of the game.