Gillingham failed in a second attempt to bring striker Jon-Paul Pittman to Priestfield.

The Gills made a move for the Senegalese forward in the summer but he chose instead to join Oxford United.

Pittman, 24, has since struggled to make the starting XI at Oxford this season and the Gills made their move on Monday, only to be pipped by League 2’s big spenders Crawley Town, who snapped him up on loan.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler (pictured), who is determined to land a striker, said: “There was an opportunity but he (Pittman) decided to go to Crawley. That didn’t happen and we will keep trying.

“We are not finding it easy at the moment and it is frustrating.”

It is the second time this season the Gills have lost out to Crawley in the transfer market after their League 2 rivals also lured Wes Thomas to the club despite interest from Hessenthaler.

Thomas recently joined League 1 Bournemouth on loan on transfer deadline day at the end of August. He has scored once in his two appearances for his new club.

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