Tamworth boss Gary Mills has bolstered his defence by bringing Chris Nurse back to The Lamb for a second spell.

The Guyana international left the Lambs at the end of last season to play for British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division side Halesowen Town.

The midfielder originally joined Tamworth during the 2007/08 season and was a revelation for the Lambs before leaving.

York City's on-loan forward Adam Smith is hopeful that Gainsborough Trinity manager Steve Charles will give the go-ahead to make his stay at KitKat Crescent permanent.

The 23-year-old former Chesterfield player says he has a gentleman's agreement with Charles that would allow him to join a full-time club.

Smith told the York Press: "I've really enjoyed my time at York City and I'm looking forward to extending my contract and improving my game further by training full-time.

"I have a good, honest relationship with Steve Charles at Gainsborough and he totally accepts my situation as we shook hands on a gentleman's agreement before I signed for them.

"We agreed that I could go on loan or sign permanently if a team from a higher league came in for me.

"Steve Charles has a good name in the game and I trust him 100 per cent that something will get sorted out sooner rather than later."

Smith has struggled with injuries in the past but seems to have put those problems behind him and he is now looking forward to making the most of his chance with the Minstermen.

He added: "It was a blow what happened after leaving Chesterfield.

"If you time your injuries badly in football and miss pre-season, you can't get in the shop window.

"Time was against me when I was on trial as I was trying to get fit, but I couldn't get my hamstrings right."

Droylsden manager and chairman Dave Pace plans to appeal after the club were kicked out of the FA Cup.

The non-league side were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in last week's 2-1 win over Chesterfield in a second-round replay.

Sean Newton, who scored both of Droylsden's goals, should have missed the game through suspension, but Pace has branded the FA's decision 'absolutely ridiculous'.

"We're obviously disappointed. It never ceases to amaze me really," said Pace.

"The appeal is going in as we speak, so we'll have to wait and see.

"It is an administration error. We had the game the other night with the floodlight failure, so we assumed Sean would have been out for the [New Year's Day game against] Vauxhall Motors game.

"It is the slightest of slight errors. He is not a ringer and he has been registered for two years. We didn't try to lie and to be kicked out of the FA Cup shows there is no grey areas.

"I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. We have the right to appeal, so that is what we will be doing."

Pace also insisted money was not an issue despite the £30,000 the club received for making it through to the third round now being diverted to Chesterfield.

"It is money that would have been there that is now not. It's not really the money that bothers me, they could fine me whatever.

"At the end of the day it's about football. Even if the appeal fails we beat Chesterfield and they can't take that away from us. We beat them fair and square, so what will be will be and we will get on with it."

Meanwhile, Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson, whose side are now scheduled to meet Ipswich Town in the third round on Saturday, was not surprised that Droylsden were expelled.

Richardson said: "This has been a cup tie with many talking points and it seems that the FA has now had the last word.

"The outcome is no real surprise as the rules clearly set out what is likely to happen if a club plays an ineligible player."

Popular defender Lee Vaughan has dismissed talk of a January move away from AFC Telford United – and backed the club to win the Blue Square North title.

Vaughan, who has featured both as a wing-back and full-back this season, has turned in consistently impressive performances for the Bucks.

That has led to rumours of interest from Football League and Blue Square Premier teams, but the 22-year-old has shrugged off the speculation.

Stafford are set to lose another two first-teamers this week as the new management team try to devise a plan for Saturday’s match at Farsley.

England C goalkeeper Danny Alcock, one of the longest serving players at the club, is talking to two rival Blue Square North sides, while highly-rated midfielder Jake Moult is set to join Nantwich.

Their departure is another problem new boss Chris Brindley will have to deal with after his appointment. He will be assisted by first-team coach Darren Read, who has agreed to stay on.

Rangers had Stafford Town youngsters Joe Owen, Sam Hollingsworth and Ben Bradley training with them at last night’s training session, in the hope that the trio could be signed up for the Farsley trip.

Read is assuring the fans that all is not lost for the club.

He said: “Andre Francis, Nick Amos and Stuart Pierpoint all trained last night, so we are hoping we can retain them as well. David McNiven and captain Wayne Daniel were due to attend but missed out through illness.

“We have brought in the three young players to train with us, who all look to be good players. The non-contract boys like Tim Sandercombe, Mark Magee and Darryl Proffitt have agreed to stay on as well.

“Chris is busy recruiting all the time and, while we may need to blood some young players, we will have a competitive team to go to Farsley.”

Goalkeeper Sandercombe will defintely be needed if Alcock leaves and he has impressed in the role before, unluckily losing his place in the side when Alcock returned from a dislocated elbow.

Reserve team understudy Danny Allen is also staying on, so one position should be well sorted, while Magee and Proffitt’s decision to play for expenses leaves two promising attackers on the books.

Read said: “Chris has spoken to the non-contract players and, at the moment, they are happy to play for us. This is a chance for them to put themselves in the shop window I suppose.

“By playing first-team games for Stafford at a level such as Blue Square North, they keep themselves in the thoughts of football managers.

“We certainly need them at the moment.”

Anton Brown is set to give Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law an extra Christmas present by returning for the Boxing Day local derby game against Hucknall Town at the Impact Arena.

The former Mansfield Town left sided player is targeting that game to return from an ankle injury picked up in the FA Cup defeat at Scunthorpe United.

Centre back Martin McIntosh is expecting to be back for this Saturday’s league game at Hyde United and coupled with Brown’s return, competition will be fierce in a very strong squad which will be looking to end the year on a high.

If the Reds, currently lying eighth, can achieve a league victory at 19th-placed Hyde United this Saturday and follow up with a win against bottom of the table Hucknall, the six points could get them right in amongst their play off rivals.

It would also set them up for the start of the new year when they go to Hucknall for the return fixture on New Year’s Day and then face Gateshead at home before a trip to Vauxhall.

Sandwiched in between the last two league games of the year, the Reds make their bow in this season’s Derbyshire Senior Cup with a third round tie at Gresley Rovers on Tuesday.

Josh Law will sit out the tie through a one match suspension for accruing five bookings.

l Alfreton Town FC Supporters' Association have announced the leaving times of the coaches to the next two away games.

Transport to this Saturday’s Blue Square North league game at Hyde United departs at 10.30am.

The departure time for next Tuesday’s Derbyshire Senior Cup tie at Gresley Rovers is 6pm.

The nativeaty of former boss Mick Galloway is the reason behind Hucknall Town's dreadful start to their gloomy Blue Square North season, a fans' forum heard.

Town chairman Brian Holmes told the well-attended meeting at the Talk Of The Town social club that Galloway believed the squad he and his sidekick, Andy Miller, had assembled would be good enough to hold down a mid-table position.

But by the time the pair were sacked last month, Town had won only twice in 19 matches in all competitions and lost 13.

They left The Yellows propping up the table with seven points from 16 games and six points adrift of safety.

Holmes told the forum: "Three games into the season, myself and vice-chairman Dave Gamble called Mick Galloway in for a meeting in the sponsors' lounge at the ground.

"We told him that he needed to get three experienced players in to improve the team and that I would finance the moves.

"But instead, he left that meeting and said: no chance. He thought the squad he had was good enough and could not be swayed."

The forum was hailed a success by Yellows supporters who attended. Many put questions to manager Bryan Chambers and also to ex-chairman John Coleman – and every one was answered.

Chambers and Coleman told fans of the budget constraints Town have and that they would not spend what they could not afford.

Chambers highlighted the significance of spending wisely in reference to the club's new ground, plans of which were on show.

"There is no use having a fantastic new ground if there is no club to go in it," stressed Chambers.

Fans were also told that there are as many as ten players signed on season-long contracts by Galloway and Miller.

"They are here whether I want them or not," said Chambers. "Unless another club come in to buy them or loan them, or they leave the club themselves, I am stuck with them. It gives me no room for manoeuvre.

"I have ten players I have to use every week or we are throwing money down the drain."

After heavy defeats in their last two games, Chambers also revealed that he is to switch from his preferred 3-5-2 formation to a more traditional 4-4-2, which the players are more used to.

Supporters welcomed news that the side would be using width more often and getting the ball into what Chambers described as "two of the best strikers around" in Danny Bacon and Gary Ricketts.

Atherstone Town have bolstered their injury-hit ranks by recruiting AFC Telford United striker Matty Lewis on loan.

Lewis, who was the Bucks top scorer last season, is ready to make his comeback after suffering a broken leg in pre-season and he will join the Adders on a one-month loan deal.

The Coventry-based former Hinckley, Kidderminster and Solihull Borough forward will come into contention for his debut in Saturday’s game against Marlow in the British Gas Business Midlands.

Jimmy Ginnelly’s Adders have been dealt a blow, however, by having to rule out knee-injury victim Ashley Wells until the New Year.

New signing Jordan Smith enjoyed a dream debut last night with the goal which sent 10-man Redditch United into the last 32 of the FA Trophy.

Smith, plucked from Thurnby Rangers to replace Leicester City-bound Aman Verma, netted the first-half decider to seal a 1-0 win at Blue Square North rivals Alfreton Town.

Smith struck on 44 minutes to earn Gary Whild’s men a much-needed £5,000 boost to their coffers and a trip to Forest Green Rovers.

But the hero for the Reds was goalkeeper Danny Lewis. He was in inspired form with a series of tremendous saves as Alfreton poured forward, especially after Reds defender Richard Softley was dismissed for a professional foul when conceding a penalty 10 minutes after the break.

But the spot kick was missed and Redditch hung on.

Gateshead will report Farsley Celtic to the Football Conference and demand compensation after Saturday’s Blue Square North game at the Throstle Nest was called off an hour before kick-off.

The Tynesiders are angry that, despite claims to the contrary, the Yorkshire club failed to stage an early-morning pitch inspection that would have prevented a wasted journey for Gateshead and their fans.

Gateshead chairman Graham Wood said: “Farsley at first claimed they had undertaken a pitch inspection on the morning of the game, but the match referee said there hadn’t been one.

“They had worked flat-out on the pitch before the game, but it looked ominous when we arrived to see the groundstaff using a roller to crack ice on the pitch.

“In front of the main stand the ground was solid. There was never any chance of the game going ahead and we’ll be filing a complaint to the league.”

Gateshead will claim compensation for coach expenses of around £500.

“Farsley failed to follow the proper procedure and didn’t take reasonable precautions,” added Wood.

“There should have been a pitch inspection and, had there been one, we wouldn’t have had a wasted journey.” The game has now been rearranged for a week tomorrow, although that will also be postponed should Farsley earn an FA Trophy replay by drawing at Blue Square Premier leaders Burton Albion on Saturday.

Gateshead manager Ian Bogie, who would have been without wide man Wayne Phillips, central defender James Curtis and Stephen Turnbull on Saturday, should have a full squad to choose from for the return to Yorkshire next week.

“The bonus is that I should have a full complement of players for the rearranged game,” said Bogie.

“But it was a disgrace that we were made to travel to Yorkshire on Saturday for a game that had no chance of going ahead.

“It was very unprofessional of Farsley Celtic, who were a Blue Square Premier club last season.

“They showed no compassion, but we’ll now have to do a job when we go back next week.

“We had a good following at Farsley with fans travelling by coach, car and rail.

“It’s the supporters I feel sorry for because money is in short supply at this time of the year, particularly in the current climate.”

Gateshead, who remain seventh in the Blue Square North despite Saturday’s postponement, will be idle again this weekend following their elimination from the FA Trophy.

Crisis club Stafford Rangers’ future is in the balance after players rejected wage cuts from the board.

Steve Bull’s Blue Square North squad turned out against Vauxhall Motors on Saturday and  unluckily lost 1-0.

But in a dressing room meeting with chairman Jon Downing and other directors afterwards, they refused to accept the proposed financial measures and asked to be transfer listed en-bloc. A statement by the player says Rangers propose to:

* stop paying non-contract players

* stop paying bonuses

* halving the pay of contract players until the club can afford to pay in full.

“We cannot agree to these terms,” said the statement. “Players have commitments based on their contractual arrangement with the club and cannot afford to take these cuts in wages.

 “Furthermore, if the state of the finances is in such a dire state, the feeling is if we agree to this, it is only a matter of time before further cuts.

“We have tried our hardest for the club, the fans and the manager to do as well as we possibly can. We believe the next step for the board is to place all the contracted players on the transfer list and circulate the names of the non-contract players.”

Gareth Sheldon's 12th goal of the season fired Tamworth back to the top of the Conference North.

A 1-0 victory over Solihull was no more than the Lambs deserved as they always looked the more likely winners of a largely disappointing contest.

With chances few and far between, however, they had to wait until the 66th minute to claim the winner as Sheldon struck from the penalty spot after Bradley Pritchard was upended by Lee Collins, who was sent off for the challenge.

A frustrating half only really came to life on 39 minutes when Nick Wright found space on the left and advanced before curling a shot just wide. Tamworth left back Michael Wylde also went close on the stroke of half time.

The second period started in a similar disappointing vein to the first half with only Tamworth's Tom Shaw forcing Solihull keeper Daniel Crane into a save.

The Lambs escaped on 63 minutes as debutant keeper Dan Whatsize scuffed a clearance straight to Leon Kelly who teed up Darren Middleton but he fired over.

It was a pivotal moment as soon after the Lambs went in front on 66 minutes. Pritchard was fouled inside the penalty area by Moors skipper Collins, who saw red for his challenge, and Sheldon stepped up to send Crane the wrong way with the resulting spot-kick.

Sheldon and Alex Rodman flashed efforts wide as the Lambs looked to make their extra man advantage count.

Sheldon then saw his rising drive fly just past the upright on 75 minutes while Solihull could have snatched an equalizer from a half chance as Middleton fired into the side-netting from close range.