HOT on the heels of striker Paul Mullin moving to Unibond Premier Division table-toppers Accrington Stanley for an undisclosed five figure fee, Radcliffe Boro have received an enquiry from Nationwide Conference outfit Southport for Neil Hardy.

The former Morecambe striker has been a sensation in the opening fortnight of the Division One campaign for Boro, the highlight being a superb hat-trick in the 6-4 win at Belper Town.

Stainton Park boss Kevin Glendon explains: "We have had an offer from Southport for Neil and we have turned it down. It was blow for us to lose Paul Mullin and there is no way the lad wanted to go but the money on offer allied to our current financial situation dictated the situation. Now Neil is attracting attention and you can understand it because he is different class."

Boro entertain Rossington Main in the FA Cup Preliminary Round tomorrow. Atherton Colls manager Alan Lord has brought gritty midfielder Paul Griffin back to the club from Unibond Division One outfit Chorley but unfortunately he didn't sign in time for tomorrow's FA Cup home clash with Morpeth Town.

Steve Powell looks set to return in goal for what promises to be a tough home test for Colls against a side that finished 8th in the Northern League last season and has had the identical league start as the Alder House outfit this term.

Ramsbottom United are many punter's tip for a Preliminary Round "giant-killing" with an away tie at Unibond Division One outfit Gretna. The news of Rams centre back Warren Brierley, who was stretchered off in the home 1-0 defeat by Clitheroe on Tuesday, is better than first feared in that his knee ligaments are strained not torn but he still faces missing several games.

Atherton LR also face a long journey with an away tie at Shotton Comrades over in Durham. Manager Steve Plant has selection headaches. "Out of our twenty strong squad I have lost Aaron Atkinson, Scott Dowds, Barry Massay, Danny Pilling and Alan Holmes, plus Andy Hills and Barry Cotterill are both major doubts. You're allowed a squad of sixteen for FA Cup games and I'm struggling to put out eleven! "

Daisy Hill entertain Holker Old Boys in the NWCL Division Two.