SPENCER DAY insists there is no urgency in bringing in a new striker – after a rather fortunate contractual miscalculation earned him the services of top scorer Reece Connolly for another week.

Day believed 16-goal Connolly’s loan spell from Aldershot ended on Monday, but it seems the 19-year-old is eligible to make a fond farewell in front of the home fans, against local rivals Basingstoke Town on Saturday (January 28).

The Boro boss has been chasing two striker targets, but is still reeling from the one which slipped through his fingers last week with Kingstonian’s Bobby Traynor opting out of a move back to Cherrywood Road at the 11th hour to see out the remaining four months of his contract.

“We had a few conversations with Bobby and Kingstonian and I was very surprised it turned out how it did,” Day said.

“I have my own reasons as to why I think it happened, but what I would say to players is that if they have any doubts about coming to Farnborough then don’t bother coming because I only want players who are 100 per cent committed to the cause.

“The miscalculation over Reece’s deal was a nice mistake to make because it gives me extra time to bring the right replacement in.

"I do not see any urgency to get players in, the squad I have did very well at Welling on Saturday and have done very well for me over the last two months.”

Day has also revealed that referee Jake Hillier has phoned Boro chairman Brian Berger and apologised for not spotting a push which led to the solitary goal in the battling defeat at Welling on Saturday.

The Boro boss was furious after Welling’s Lee Clarke clearly shoved full-back Miles Smith in the build-up to Luis Cumbers’ winner 16 minutes from time.

“As much as it is appreciated, it doesn’t get us the points back,” Day moaned. “I thought, overall, we deserved a draw as we gave a good solid account of ourselves, although, on reflection, I don’t think we did enough in the second half.”

Boro might have twice taken the lead in the opening 11 minutes with Welling keeper Nick Pope tipping over a header from Adam Bygrave before Boro’s new loan signing from Barnet, Jordan Parkes, shot wastefully wide from 20 yards.

Parkes, a natural full-back, was making his Boro debut after joining on a month’s loan in a bid to convince Underhill boss Lawrie Sanchez that he can play in the centre of midfield.

As it is, however, Parkes may have to revert to full-back for this weekend's visit of Basingstoke with Smith sitting out a one-match suspension and Nathan Webb struggling with a back injury.

Boro boss Day admits he is looking forward to welcoming back Frank Gray to Cherrywood Road – but not just because the club’s former manager was such a popular figure in the Boro ranks during the 2005-06 season.

Day is a big Nottingham Forest fan and still looks up to Gray as a legend of the 1980 European Cup-winning team under Brian Clough and is hoping to get the opportunity to relive the club’s former glories with the former Scottish international after the game.

“If the result goes well, It’ll be nice to talk to Frank in the bar afterwards,” Day said.

"It doesn’t matter who play though, I’ve got a game to win. It's a local derby and I’d love the Farnborough fans to embrace that, but for me it’s just another vital three points.”

FARNBOROUGH: Lovelock, Smith, Treacher, Jeffrey (Sogbanmu 81), Bergqvist, Bygrave, Bennett, Winn (Moody 89), Page, Parkes, Connolly. Not used: Webb, Cobb, Bradshaw.

Ref: J Hillier. Att: 555.

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