NATIONAL LEAGUE IN BRIEF

KIERAN MURTAGH has made the hop round the M25, leaving Woking and joining fellow National League side Boreham Wood on a two-year deal. Murtagh, 28, made 113 appearances for the Cards having signed on a permanent deal back in 2014. He has also previously played for Cambridge, Wycombe and Mansfield. The midfielder said: “I am very pleased; I think that a new challenge is what I need right now.” ALAN DEVONSHIRE has delved into Step 4 and plucked Chinedu McKenzie from Romford to join his Maidenhead ranks. McKenzie netted 21 times for Romford in the Ryman North last season and joins the Magpies after they lifted the National League South title. McKenzie said: “Maidenhead is a club with great ambitions, with an ambitious manager and good players, who I will play with and improve from doing so.” DEFENDER Manny Smith has returned to Wrexham after a year at Gateshead. The 28-year-old moved to the northeast club last summer after two season with the Dragons, netting five times in 47 games. Heed agreed to cancel his contract and he has signed a two-year deal at the Racecourse. Wrexham manager Dean Keates said: “In his first season here, he didn’t miss a minute. It’s massive to have another character like Manny.” MACCLESFIELD have made a double swoop for defender Jared Hodgkiss and striker Scott Wilson, while crucially keeping hold of George Pilkington. Pilkington, an ever-present in the Macc side since his arrival in February 2014, will stay with the Silkmen for the 2017-18 campaign. Former West Brom man Hodgkiss signs a two-year deal having previously been with Kidderminster while Wilson was at Eastleigh. MICKY MELLON reckons new arrival Jack Dunn is the kind of player to get Tranmere Rovers fans excited. The 22-year-old former Liverpool striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Prenton Park but now becomes a permanent member of Mellon’s squad. And the boss said: “Jack is definitely one of those players who will excite and get supporters off their seats.” CRAIG HARRISON has begun his re-building job at Hartlepool United by landing four of his transfer targets this week. The Pools boss followed up the signings of striker Jake Cassidy, from Guiseley, and Chester captain Luke George earlier in the week by bringing in former England U21 goalkeeper Scott Loach. And he completed the quartet by adding attacking midfielder Jack Munns from Cheltenham Town.