New head coach Ady Pennock is still tracking an experienced defender but admits he faces competition.

A new centre-back is at the top of his wishlist but negotiations over a deal are still ongoing with an unnamed player.

Pennock said: “I was close to getting a defender and we still are. We are still negotiating.

“There are three or four other clubs after this lad and it is something we hope to get over the line before next week. It’s January and there are lots of players out there but if I can get this lad in then I would be very pleased.

“I do want a bit of experience. It showed on Saturday. We need men out there and leaders, that is really important, especially after what I watched.”

Chris Herd filled the void at the back for Pennock on Saturday and the Australian was one of few who came out of the game with any credit.

“I thought he was very good at the back for us,” said Pennock.

“He was probably one of few out of the 11 who was a man. He came off with cramp as he hadn’t played for a while, but there were some positives.”

Pennock is also chasing a new goalkeeper. Current No.1 stopper Stuart Nelson will need stitches this week in a gash to his chin, suffered on Saturday.

Pennock said: “The referee said could we put a player in goal, play on, then bring the keeper back on later, but I don’t know what that was all about.

“He will have some stitches as the doctor had glued it.

“We had young Tom (Hadler) on the bench and he would have gone straight on. It was a relief not to bring Nels off though and he’ll be okay.”