UPBEAT Phil Wilson is sure his Lancaster City men can flourish despite the cash worries at Giant Axe.

Wilson was pleased the Dolly Blues didn't lose to Worcester City on Saturday but at the same time felt slight disappointment after the 0-0 draw.

"We played some of the best football since I have been with the club," Wilson tells the Citizen.

"But we lost momentum towards the end of the game and that was a little disappointing.

"But I am enjoying working with the younger players who have a lot to offer."

But the manager warns: "We do need extra backing. The board are working their socks off but if the people of Lancaster want to see this club flourish at this level they need to support us.

"And that goes for the fans and businesses alike. Morecambe were in a very similar position to ourselves before they went into the Conference but they went forward and I am sure we can do the same."

Meanwhile, Tony Sullivan has joined Chorley while Steve Jones, also released last week as part of cost-cutting, is in talks with Kidsgrove.

9:03am today

Hesketh's Howson heist fails

By Matt Donlan

CITY defender Stuart Howson has pledged his future to Lancaster after knocking back a cheeky bid from Kendal boss Tony Hesketh.

Howson was a wanted man with Hesketh making big waves to snare him to Parkside Road, especially after he lost another ex-City man Paul Sparrow after a serious operation.

But Howson declined to move to Parkside Road and Hesketh lamented to the Citizen: "I tried to sign Stuart in the summer and heard one or two rumours that led me to believe all was not well in the Lancaster camp so I had a chat with Stuart.

"I would have loved to have signed him - but he decided to stay with City."

That pleased City boss Phil Wilson who says: "It was certainly nice to have a little bit of good news."