AFC Telford United were today on the verge of bringing in an experienced new striker in a bid to cure their goalscoring blues.

The Bucks hope to complete a loan move for the mystery man in time to include him in their side for tomorrow evening’s crunch Blue Square North clash at home to Eastwood Town.

And it will not be a moment too soon for Telford, whose shyness in front of goal again cost them in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Hyde United.

Boss Rob Smith and assistant Larry Chambers had worked around the clock to try and get someone in for that one.

But their bid to recruit disbanded Farsley’s forwards Lee Ellington and Gareth Grant was scuppered, with the pair opting to accept big signing-on fees to join Droylsden instead.

“We’re close to making a signing for tomorrow’s game and hopefully there will be another one before the weekend,” Chambers said.

“We need to do something. We’ve tried different people up front but nothing has come off and it has been the story of our season.

“Our goals-for column sticks out like a sore thumb, and we can’t say in recent weeks that we haven’t had chances.”

Chambers was disappointed with the way his side conceded on Saturday, less than two minutes after Phil Trainer had put them in front.

They could well have gone on to lose the game as well, goalkeeper Ryan Young saving a penalty after skipper Lee Vaughan had been sent off for bringing down Kevin Holsgrove.

“The thing that disappointed me more than anything was our lack of professionalism because you are at your most vulnerable just after you have scored,” said Chambers.

“I can’t argue with the red card.”

By CHRIS HUDSON