St Neots hope a man who helped to dump them out of the FA Cup can fire them up the Southern League Premier Division.

The Saints have snapped up frontman Sam Mulready from Stamford AFC. He was one of the goalscorers when they were beaten 4-1 in a cup replay by his former club earlier this month.

And boss Andy Davies has billed the arrived of the 23 year-old as a ‘fantastic signing’ which he hopes will help his side climb out of a slump.

Saints have suffered five successive league defeats and failed to win any of their last eight games in all competitions.

Davies said: “I have had my eye on Sam for a while and it was a case of having to move fast when I heard he was available.

“He is an exciting player and a proven goalscorer. I think he’ll work well up front with James Hall.”

Mulready, who was at Grimsby Town as a youngster, and has also made more than 100 appearances for King’s Lynn, will get his first taste of St Neots action tomorrow.

The club are without a competitive fixture, but they have arranged a home friendly against National League South outfit East Thurrock (3pm, free admission).

Saints then entertain Kettering in the opening round of the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Davies has missed out on another striking target (Avelino Vieira has chosen to stay with United Counties League Premier Division table-toppers Peterborough Sports) and he is still chasing a central midfield player.

He has, however, let two players go. Right-back Dom Mason and winger Jordan Patrick were both released today.