GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler has suffered a first setback in attempting to strengthen his squad with the news that prime transfer target Neil Cox has decided to stay with Watford.

The 31-year-old skipper of the Hornets topped Hessenthaler's list of transfer targets on hearing he was undecided about staying at Vicarage Road and an offer was put to the player.

But hopes of tempting the defender to Priestfield were dashed when Cox announced he had agreed a two-year deal with Watford.

"We knew Watford were considering offering him a new deal so we're not surprised to hear that he's staying with them," said Hessenthaler.

Cox confessed: "I never really wanted to leave Watford. I just felt that I needed to talk to other clubs to see what the general feeling is in the game at the moment."