SHAKERS have lost out in a bid to sign Macclesfield striker Matthew Tipton after a "silly money" bid, believed to be from Mansfield Town.

With Chris Porter having left for Oldham and Colin Kazim-Richards' future still uncertain Shakers boss Barrow made a move for Tipton, who was released by Macclesfield at the end of the season, and agreed a two-year deal with the player to be signed on Friday morning.

But after receiving an offer late on Thursday night, the 24-year-old Welshman turned down the Shakers and Barrow is resigned to seeing him move to his League Two rivals on what Tipton has described as "silly money".

"I thought we were in with a good shout with Matthew Tipton but Mansfield have gone that little bit bigger," said Barrow. "He's turned us down and I think he'll end up there.

"With Porter going, I thought maybe he'd give us that little bit of quality but it wasn't to be."

'Silly money' Tipton snubs Shakers

SHAKERS have lost out in a bid to sign Macclesfield striker Matthew Tipton after a "silly money" bid, believed to be from Mansfield Town.

With Chris Porter having left for Oldham and Colin Kazim-Richards' future still uncertain Shakers boss Barrow made a move for Tipton, who was released by Macclesfield at the end of the season, and agreed a two-year deal with the player to be signed on Friday morning.

But after receiving an offer late on Thursday night, the 24-year-old Welshman turned down the Shakers and Barrow is resigned to seeing him move to his League Two rivals on what Tipton has described as "silly money".

"I thought we were in with a good shout with Matthew Tipton but Mansfield have gone that little bit bigger," said Barrow. "He's turned us down and I think he'll end up there.

"With Porter going, I thought maybe he'd give us that little bit of quality but it wasn't to be."

Under the heading GAZUMPED the official Bury website reported:

"Further to speculation on the internet that Matthew Tipton was signing for Bury Football Club, we can confirm that both parties did agree a two year deal.

"Negotiations were completed on Thursday and the contract was duly drawn up. The player confirmed to the manager and club that he would sign the contract at 10:00am on Friday morning.

"However, late on Thursday evening, the player received an offer that he described as 'silly money' from another club in League Two and informed Bury Football Club that he would not be joined the Shakers.

"The club are obviously frustrated and disappointed in the players actions but are actively pursuing other targets."