CHALLY IN A TRIPLE WHAMMY

DAVE CHALLINOR has called upon his pool of proven winners in a bid to help Stockport County get over the line and secure a famous Football League return.

The Hatters are 11 points clear at the top of the National League but Challinor is not letting up his challenge and this week strengthened his squad with three more big-hitters before the transfer window slammed shut.

The table-toppers landed midfielder Andy Cannon from Championship side Hull City for the remainder of the season, and then added former Yeovil and Bromley striker Courtney Duffus on loan from Morecambe.

And to top it off, Challinor secured a late deal to bring in left wing-back Zaine Francis-Angol, who he has worked – and won promotion with – at Hartlepool United and at AFC Fylde.

On landing the Antigua and Barbuda international, Challinor said: “It’s great to be able to get Zaine into the squad. He’s someone I know very well from my time at Hartlepool and Fylde, and who knows not only myself but other members of the squad and management team.

“He is used to playing in important games, and has already had success with me at my two previous clubs.”

Stockport were not the only promotion chasers adding to their squad this week.

have brought in experienced goalkeeper Lee Camp

Wrexham

on a short-term deal after losing Rob Lainton to injury.

The 37-year-old shot-stopper joins the Dragons until the end of the season having previously played in the Premier League and Championship for the likes of Deby County, Nottingham Forest, QPR and Bournemouth.

Buzz

“It’s exciting,” Camp said. “Rob’s misfortune is why I’m here but to come to a club with aspirations to get back into the EFL, and the excitement and the opportunity to be part of a promotion challenge and a semi-final in the FA Trophy next week…it’s exciting, it’s something you can get your teeth into and it gives you a buzz to get out of bed.”

Elsewhere, experienced centre-back Kenny Clark has joined

Southend United from Dagenham & Redbridge, while Grimsby Town have strengthened their late play-off bid with the signing of promotion winning midfielder Gavan Holohan from Hartlepool United on a contract until the summer of 2024.

Altrincham signed striker Kole Hall from NPL Premier side Radcliffe, while Notts County landed Rochdale defender Sam Graham on loan.

FC Halifax Town brought in King’s Lynn’s Pierce Bird on loan, Maidenhead United claimed Wycombe defender Jack Wakely, while Weymouth bagged AFC Bournemouth’s young left-back Ben Greenwood.

In National League North, John Askey celebrated becoming the permanent York City

manager by luring Afghanistan international midfielder Maziar Kouhyar from Hereford.

James Rowe’s AFC Fylde

landed a double signing by bagging Will Hatfield from Darlington and Kyle Morrison from Leamington for an undisclosed fee, while AFC Telford United

brought in experienced midfielder Marcus Marshall from Matlock Town and the permanent signing of Jordan Piggott from Solihull Moors.

In the South, promotion chasers Dartford landed something of a coup by signing former MK Dons and Sheffield United midfielder Samir Carruthers.