WINCHESTER City’s hunt for a new centre-back continues after failing to woo Matt Burt away from Folland Sports.

City, looking to replace departed skipper Leigh Mills (pictured below), have also lodged notice of approach for their former player Matt Scott who was one of Andover Town’s brighter lights in a 1-1 Sydenhams Premier draw at Brockenhurst on Saturday.

Brock – home to Winchester tomorrow (Wednesday) – could have fallen behind just before half-time when Tom Hill’s mis-timed tackle resulted in a penalty, but Rory Anderson saved the spot kick.

Ex-Winch striker Daryll Phillips lobbed the Badgers into a second-half lead before Danny Urry took advantage of some hesitant defending to fire Andover on terms.

While Brock are going well in seventh spot, newly-promoted Andover are ten places below them and have yet to hit their stride.

“We dominated the first half without really creating chances and the second half was more even,” summed Brock boss Pat McManus. “I was impressed with Danny Urry and Andover in general. They’re similar to us in that they like to get the ball down and play. I’d say they’ve underachieved so far.”

Pondering tomorrow’s visit from pre-season title favourites Winchester, McManus added: “I’m confident that if we’ve got a full side we’ll raise our game against them. To be honest, I fancy us more in games like that. When I look at the four we’ve drawn this season, they’ve been against teams lying 16th,17th,18th and 19th!”

Brock lost left-back Murray Holmes to illness on Saturday and his replacement Jacques Bernard limped off injured, but Danny Cox returned from injury. Defender Dan Maher, who has struggled to make Brock’s starting line-up of late, is dual-signing for Southern League neighbours Bashley where his brother Callum is goalkeeper.

Winchester ended Whitchurch’s unbeaten start 3-1 at the Denplan on Saturday despite losing top gun Warren Bentley to groin trouble.

“Warren had to come off at half-time last Tuesday,” co-boss Danny Robinson explained. “He got through Saturday’s warm-up okay, but he’s gone to strike a ball as he walked back to the changing room and felt his groin.

“It’s touch and go for Wednesday, it may be too early for him.”

Follands had been due to host AFC Totton in the Russell Cotes Cup tonight, but that game makes way for the Stags’ FA Trophy replay at home to Cinderford (7.45pm).