WINSFORD United have swooped to sign young forward Peter Griffiths from Macclesfield Town.

Manager Mark Came snapped up the player, who had been on a week to week contract with the Nationwide Division Three club, and threw him straight into last night's clash with Lancaster City.

Griffiths played at Northern Premier level for Ashton United when he was just 15, and his ability to play centre forward or out wide should improve Came's attacking options.

The move comes just days after the Blues boss soothed his midfield headache by bringing in Mark Bailey, who has made over 100 league appearances for Rochdale and Stoke, against Spennymoor on Saturday.

"In the first two games it came home to me that we were desperate for quality midfielders," said Came.

"I was talking to Northwich Vics about taking Val Owen but Mark Gardiner didn't want to risk loaning him. Bailey was training with them and he suggested him instead. He was more than happy to sign.

"He held us together and played box to box even though he's not match fit."

Came, however, received a transfer blow this week when he failed to persuade Colin Lambert to return to Barton Stadium for a third time.

The midfielder left Winsford last season as one of Dalton Steele's army that headed for Chorley.

"He thanked me for the offer but said he wouldn't feel right coming back after the way things were last year," said Came.

Winsford make their now annual late summer trip to Whitby Town on Saturday in the UniBond Premier. On Bank Holiday Monday, United are at home to Leek Town in the league. Both games kick off at 3pm.

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