Burgess Hill manager Gary Croydon has failed to tempt former star striker Steve Harper back to Leylands Park.

Harper, a prolific striker, joined Thurrock for an undisclosed four-figure fee in the summer of 2005 but is now on the transfer list at the Conference south side.

Croydon said: "We had a £2,000 bid for Steve accepted by the club but he is reluctant to step back down and at 24 years old I can understand that he wants to stay at as high a level as possible.

"I am desperate to sign another striker. We have Ashley Jarvis up there playing well but he needs help.

"Even to have taken Steve on loan would have been great."

Despite lacking firepower, Croydon says FA Cup heroes Leatherhead will not find it easy at Leylands Park tomorrow.

The Tanners recently bowed out of the Cup to Torquay United in the first round proper but their league form has been hit and miss since then and Croydon is hoping his young side can capitalise.

He said: "To hold league leaders Fleet to a draw and outplay them in their manager Andy Sinton's opinion has given the team a huge boost.

"Nine of the players were 20 or under who played against Fleet on Tuesday and we are relishing every game."

Croydon is also exploring the possibility of bringing in a player on work experience from Albion while he is also hoping to talk to Czech striker Victor Dolista, who has been with Eastbourne Borough and Worthing, albeit briefly, this season but let go by both clubs