NELSON have boosted their strikeforce by signing former Leek Town forward Jason Jones.

The 33-year-old who has also played at North West Counties Division Two level for Middlewich has been brought in by manager Dave Hall as he seeks to make up for the loss of his two top scorers, Craig Bradshaw and Paul Barrett.

The duo have 14 goals between them this season but Bradshaw, who has eight, has been out injured for almost a month, while Barrett joined Chorley last week.

Jones, who was put in touch with Nelson through goalkeeper Billy Carrington, could be in contention for a place in the starting line-up for tonight's NWCL Two derby at home to Darwen (7.45pm).

Hall said: "Jason gives us another option up front that we haven't had.

"He's a big lad so has aerial prowess but is also quick and looked very sharp in our last reserve game."

Hall has also been impressed by other recent additions to his squad, like Brad Pates, who he signed from Colne, former Burnley youth Robert Grimes and Lee Scholes, signed from Rossendale to make his debut in Friday's 1-0 win over Winsford United.

"Things are looking up," said Hall. "It was a great result on Friday so I hope we can keep it up now.

"I still believe that pound for pound we are as good as anybody but we've just got to prove it."

Meanwhile, Darwen assistant manager Paul Brown was delighted that the changes they made for Saturday's home game with Oldham Town reaped rewards.

Brown took charge of the team to allow boss Steve Mullen to play himself in midfield, and he set up one of the goals in a 2-0 victory.

"We played around a bit with the system and it paid off for us," said Brown.

"We could have perhaps won by a few more given the chances we created and Andy Morris was excellent in goal at the other end."

The win over Oldham is a timely confidence booster ahead of the trip to Nelson, following the midweek 7-1 drubbing against Ashton.