ACCRINGTON Stanley have failed in a bid to prise former Clitheroe striker Paul Mullin away from UniBond First Division promotion rivals Radcliffe Borough.

Cash-strapped Borough boss Kevin Glendon had reluctantly accepted a bid of £10,000 for his star striker, who has had trials with Burnley and Bury this season.

But after holding talks with Stanley chief John Coleman, Mullin, whose brother John plays for Burnley, has decided to stay and lead Radcliffe's promotion charge until the end of the season.

"We spoke to him on Tuesday night and again later in the week but he has decided the timing is wrong," said Coleman.

"If it had been at the end of the season then he said he would have jumped at the chance.

"But with Radcliffe still going for promotion themselves, he feels obliged to stay with them and try and see the job through."

Stanley are desperate to recruit a new striker following the sale of Gary Williams to Doncaster for a club record £60,000 fee.

But Mullin is now the second target to turn down the chance to link up with the Reds who are looking to get back into the UniBond Premier Division at the first attempt after relegation last year.

Coleman does have other irons in the fire, however, and he will now turn his attentions to two other targets.

"We've got a couple of other players lined up. One of them is with a Conference club, the other is currently playing in the UniBond Premier Division."

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