AFC TOTTON are taking a punt on ‘bad boy’ Adam Pearson in a bid to cure their defensive ills.

The Stags, hammered 6-1 at home by Larkhall Athletic in the Southern One South & West on Tuesday, are ready to hand a second chance to Pearson who has just served a six-month ban for pushing a referee.

Pearson, then with Amesbury Town, shoved official Steven Topiazo in anger after being shown a second yellow card in a feisty Sydnehams One derby with Downton in January this year. The match was subsequently abandoned.

Pearson, who had taken an elbow in the face, which drew blood, in the first five minutes of the game, picked up a soft booking in the first half and then saw red – quite literally – when issued with another in the 66th minute for violent conduct.

Totton boss Steve Hollick is aware that signing the ex-Whitchurch and Bashley centre-back is a risk, but said: “The lad has served his time and everyone’s entitled to a second chance.

“His temperament will certainly get tested with us, but I’ve known Adam a couple of years and I like him.

“If he steps out of line with us he’s going to find it difficult to get a game anywhere else.

“Obviously he needs to get fit because he’s only been training and has had no competitive games.He’s got to come in and work hard.

Pearson is Totton’s second defensive recruit this week, following on from ex-Salisbury man Jack Vallis.

Vallis played no part in Tuesday’s debacle, having felt a hamstring twinge in the warm-up, but he hopes to face one of his old clubs, Gillingham Town, in the FA Cup preliminary round at Harding’s Lane on Saturday.

Also signing on for Totton is Southampton-based former Folland Sports, Winchester City and AFC Portchester goalkeeper Jon Webb who is coming back from a serious knee injury.

With the Stags' current goalkeeping No2 Victor Silvestre leaving for Italy soon, Webb will provide competition for first-choice ’keeper Steve Mowthorpe.

“Jon’s not quite fully fit yet, but he’s done a lot of rehab and strengthening work with us,” Hollick explained.

“He’s got a real good pedigree and he’s nice and enthusiastic to have around the dressing room.”

Mowthorpe and Webb will be put through their paces by the club’s new goalkeeping coach Dave Walsh, who brings a wealth of experience from working under ex-Saint Neil Moss at AFC Bournemouth youth.

Meanwhile, the sooner Totton get Tuesday's 6-1 nightmare out of their system, the better.

Pulling no punches in his criticism of the performance, Hollick said: "Our old frailties came back to haunt us. Too many people were hiding. They didn't want to do the ugly side of it.

"It was an embarrassing night for everyone involved and we don't want a repeat of it ever again."