ST Neots Town have been dealt a blow as the start of the Southern League Premier Division season begins to close in with influential midfielder Adrian Sear opting to join former manager Dennis Greene at Histon.

Sear, a firm favourite with St Neots fans after an excellent first season at Rowley Park, became the latest of the Southern League Division One Central championship winning team to leave the club when he signed for the Blue Square Bet North club on Friday, the day before the Saints finally won a pre-season friendly.

When Greene talked to The Hunts Post after being named the manager of Histon two weeks ago, he said he couldn’t count out ‘eyeing up’ a few of his former players. Now Saints fans will be hoping Sear is the only player Greene takes to Bridge Road.

Last week new manager Iain Parr added his first two players to the squad: central midfielder Charlie Dove and central defender Arthur Lee.

Both are former Peterborough United youth team players - and Lee, who was with Concord Rangers last season, scored the Saints’ equaliser in their 3-2 win over Blue Square Bet North side Chelmsford City on Saturday. Dove was on the books of Bishops Stortford and Tooting & Mitcham last season and also played in the game.

“We already have a very strong squad and just needed to add a couple of players to certain positions to maintain the shape of the team,” said the former Peterborough youth coach Parr. “In Arthur and Charlie we think we have achieved that.”

Chairman Mike Kearns told the club’s website: “When we appointed Iain we knew that we were not only getting an outstanding coach but someone who knows of young players who have just missed out on professional contracts.

“His network of contacts and knowledge of these young players is immense.”

Stefan Moore gave the Saints a 41st minute lead against Chelmsford but Jamie Slabber scored twice for the Clarets before Lee’s 81st minute equaliser and Ben Mackey’s 86th minute winner.

The result will give have given the squad a confidence boost following the shaky start to pre-season with defeats to Concord Rangers, Peterborough and Cambridge United, and draws with AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Eynesbury Rovers.

Goals from Lee Bassett and Tom Coles meant the United Counties Division One side Eynesbury were 2-1 up at half time on Tuesday, July 31, with Mackey notching for the Saints.

In the second half an unnamed trialist, playing up front alongside Mackey, scored twice, before Coles got an equaliser for Rovers in the 75th minute.

Declan Rogers and Ben Colmer, both with UCL Division One champions Huntingdon Town last season, played in the match for St Neots.

Last night (Tuesday) the Saints were due to play Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade Town. On Saturday they host Blue Square Bet North side Farborough Town. The Southern League season will start the following Saturday (August 18) with St Neots travelling to Chesham United.