NATIONAL League promotion hopefuls Eastleigh endured a frustrating transfer deadline day as they battled to boost their slimline strike force.

They toiled long and hard but a tweet posted by club chairman Stewart Donald at around 10.30 this evening conceded: “Worked hard but no transfers for @eastleighfc today. Potentially looking good for the loan market but will have to be patient Spitfires!!”

Having lodged a reportedly “substantial bid” for Billy Kee of Accrington Stanley, the Spitfires went back with an improved offer but were again rebuffed by the League Two promotion hunters.

The 25-year-old - a Northern Ireland under-19 and under-21 international - played for Torquay United in 2010/11 and went on to net 39 goals in 99 league appearances for Burton Albion before being sold to Scunthorpe United.

But things didn’t work out with the Iron and last summer he returned to Accrington where he had made his professional debut as a loanee in 2009/10.

Eastleigh gave it their best shot to sign him, but manager Chris Todd said: “It’s gone for the moment. Their manager John Coleman said he was not for sale. They’re going for promotion and they don’t want to lose players.

“He’s someone we may approach another time.”

 

Encouragingly for Eastleigh top scorer James Constable is recovering well from a thigh tweak and may stand a chance of facing Bromley at the Silverlake tomorrow (7.45pm), boggy pitch allowing.

But skipper Paul Reid remains sidelined with a groin problem and right-back Joe Partington is still feeling the quad injury that ruled him out of the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate with Wrexham.

Although still fourth, Eastleigh could badly do with three points against a Bromley side who, after a bright start to the season, have slipped to 14th.

Todd’s men are unbeaten in seven in the league, but have drawn their last four.

They shared the honours 2-2 in the league at Bromley on Boxing Day since when the Ravens have managed just one league win in four.

They were well beaten 4-1 at second-placed Cheltenham on Saturday with manager Mark Goldberg admitting they “lacked confidence.”