AFC Telford United look set to miss out on former Kidderminster midfielder Gavin Hurren – with Crawley and Mansfield leading the chase for his signature.

The 22-year-old defender-come-midfielder had been lined up to make his Bucks bow in Saturday’s 5-1 victory at Stratford, but pulled out to go for talks at non-League new boys Mansfield.

He is expected to line-up for Blue Square Premier side Crawley tonight in their pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace.

“I think Crawley are on the verge of making him an offer,” said Telford chief Rob Smith, who had allowed Hurren to link up with the Bucks for pre-season training.

“I know he went to Mansfield on Saturday as well and it looks like something will happen soon.

“If it doesn’t then he’s welcome to come back here and talk to us, but he’s been playing in the Blue Square Premier and he’s done well at that level so it’s no surprise that clubs are interested in him.”

Meanwhile, Smith declared himself satisfied with his side’s performance in their first pre-season friendly at Knights Lane.

New signing Terry Fearns got off the mark with two goals on his debut, while Jamie Vermiglio, Carl Rodgers and Matty Lewis also got in on the act.

“It was a good workout and a few players managed to get a full 90 minutes under their belt, so that can only help us,” he added.

“With Fearns, you saw what he is all about. He doesn’t produce a lot for long periods of the game, but he got two goals.

“I thought we played some good football and we didn’t pick up any injuries, so that was pleasing.”

Youth teamers Scott Embury, Andrew Hartlebury and Simon Gregory were all given runouts as second half substitutes.

And Smith declared: “They did okay. It’s difficult because they don’t know the lads at all, but they came on and tried to play football.

“The one thing you did notice from that game is that their bodies need to develop.”