DALTON Steele has reinforced his squad again by signing Sammy Harris from Unibond League leaders Altrincham.

The Winsford United manager has swooped for the out-of-favour defender to ensure he has a solid squad for the trip to Altrincham next Saturday, when the Blues will lose Matthew Harmer through work commitments.

The capture of Harris is likely to cool Steele's interest in Chorley's Greg Brown, who he was waiting to bring back to Barton Stadium last week.

Steele said: "Sammy's come here to help us out. He's not been playing for a couple of weeks so he phoned me up and I spoke to Bernard Taylor who agreed to let him go.

"We're going to lose a player next week, but I brought Sammy in early on Saturday, to get used to the set-up."

The Blues boss proved that his recent signings are not there merely to make up the numbers, bringing on all three subs - Harris, Tony Jones and Andy Bridge - for the second half at Marine with his side 3-1 down.

Steele's gamble paid off as the Blues produced a sensational fightback to force a 3-3 draw.

He said: "Sometimes you have to take chances. Our engine room looked tired, we were labouring a bit and breaking down in crucial areas.

"I believe in everybody I've got so I gave the cover players a chance. If I didn't, I'd never know if they could do a good job, and they all did well when they came on."

United will be unchanged for Saturday's home league game against Gainsborough Trinity. Darren Heesom and David Clegg, who has an operation next week, are still sidelined.

After one defeat in seven games, Steele thinks a win could set up a run-in on a par with last season's storming finish.

He said: "I'm hoping three points start a run as I want us to finish as strongly as we did last year.

"We're training on Tuesday and maybe Thursday as well this week so we can work on a few things and have a really good go on to the end of the season."

DAVE Twite has also been boosting his Middlewich Town squad in time for Saturday's testing trip to Mid-Cheshire League leaders Barnton.

Steve Bond, a striker from local football in Northwich, has been signed to replace Steve Rowlands, serving a suspension for last week's sending off at Chorlton Town.

Twite is hoping injury problems for Paul Garvey and Gareth Langley will clear up in time for the visit, which Twite isn't dreading despite Barnton's awesome home record.

The Witches manager was buoyed by his team's performance against Pilkington, a 1-1 draw at Seddon Street on Saturday.

He said: "If we play like we did on Saturday, you never know. We played very well and just needed that second goal to kill them off."

Kick-off times for Middlewich Town matches are now back to 3pm, starting Saturday.

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