AFC TOTTON are in no mood to give away any Christmas gifts to promotion-hungry Winchester City at the Testwood Stadium on Boxing Day(3pm).

The Scrooge-like Stags have tightened up their previously leaky defence dramatically in the last two games, conceding just one goal while scoring 11.

But when the opportunity arose to sign experienced defender Ian Oliver from Southern One South & West rivals Wimborne Town, manager Steve Hollick grabbed it with both hands.

Oliver, 30, has agreed non-contract terms with the Stags and the left-back/centre-back brings with him a wealth of experience accrued since his early days at Swindon Town.

He played Conference South football for Eastleigh, won the Southern One South & West title with Farnborough in 2008 and turned out for Steve Riley's Bashley in the Southern Premier.

Wimborne, who signed him from local rivals Poole Town two years ago, describe him on their website as “an experienced and calming influence at the heart of defence, who likes to come up for headers at set-pieces.”

Totton have already benefitted from signing defender Patrick Wilson from Wimborne and hope Eastleigh-based Oliver can be just as influential.

“He’s someone we’ve been aware of for some time and we’re chuffed to bits to get him on board," said manager Steve Hollick.

“The lads are defending really well at the moment and Oli's under no illusions that he has to work hard for a place. But when someone like him becomes available, you have to be interested.”

Totton are a different proposition now to the side that lost 3-1 at the Denplan City Ground at the end of August and Hollick reckons Saturday’s festive rematch has all the makings of a Christmas cracker.

Winchester are lording it second in the table in their first season up from the Wessex League and are the division’s top scorers with 57 goals.

"They're flying and credit to Paul Masters (manager) for what he’s doing there,” said Hollick. “They’ve taken the league by storm and we know how difficult it’s going to be.

“But we’ve hit a bit of form and hopefully we’ll go into it with confidence and there will be a big crowd at Testwood to cheer us on.

“We’ve got a full squad available this time and, fingers crossed, we'll be a different proposition.”