REIGNING champions Andover have signed attacking midfielder Kevin Reacord from Eastleigh.

Lions boss Howard Goddard stepped into the breach after 24-year-old Reacord turned down the chance to rejoin his old club AFC Totton.

Goddard confirmed: "We've agreed terms with Kevin and Paul Doswell (Eastleigh manager) has released him from contract.

Andover are hoping the paperwork will go through in time for Reacord to play tomorrow.

"If things go to plan Kevin will make his debut for us at Hamble tomorrow. If not, I'm confident he'll be with us in time for BAT on Tuesday," said Goddard.

Although Andover are no slouches in front of goal, having already netted 106 times this season, Goddard - a former AFC Bournemouth striker - cannot cram enough attack-minded players into his side.

Describing Totton-based Reacord as "an exceptional addition to our team", he said: "I remember him well from when I was managing Whitchurch and he scored a hat-trick against me.

"He's one of those players who, every time you read his name in the paper, he's scoring goals.

"He'll be a great option for us either wide right or up front. People may wonder why I'm signing another attacking player when we've already scored 106 goals, but you can always better what you've achieved.

"We're doing well in the league and cups this season, but I'm looking to the future too and if I can get the players I want together now, then it means I don't have to go out looking in the summer.

"Once the squad's assembled, they'll all know each other and be ready for next season."

Eastleigh boss Doswell has not pushed Reacord out the door, but said: "Kev's not been getting in the side and needed to play more football. I told him I was happy if he wanted to go but happy too if he wanted to stay."

Eastleigh, meanwhile, have ruled out any possibility of signing Aldershot Town's transfer-listed ex-Saint Paul Moody.

Although the 35-year-old striker is good mates with their player/assistant boss David Hughes, the Ten Acres outfit cannot match the wages he is raking in with the Ryman Premier leaders.

Manager Paul Doswell, who has signed midfielder Michael Dean on a free from Weymouth this week, said: "Paul had a chat with David and said he'd like to come over, but he's well out of our financial league. We just couldn't do it on our budget."

Eastleigh travel to lowly Blackfield & Langley tomorrow well aware that Gosport Borough are hot on their trail. The Privett Park outfit are just three points behind after an awesome run of 12 wins and a draw from their last 13 league games.

Doswell said: "I take my hat to Gosport. They've come up on the blind side while everyone's been concentrating on ourselves and Lymington. It's very much a three-horse race now and I think that's good for the league rather than having one club running away with it."

Robbie Matthews, who has forged a 45-goal partnership with David Laws this season, is again missing tomorrow because of a heel injury caused by wearing bad boots.

Doswell explained: "He's inflamed the pad behind the Achilles but the injury's not as bad as we'd feared. Robbie's got a suspension coming between February 9 and 16 and we'll rest him until that's over."

Second-to-bottom Blackfield have leaked 86 goals already this season and must be fearing the worst against the league leaders.

Manager Terry Smith, who loses goalkeeper Tom Hawkins to a 35-day suspension on Monday, joked: "We may field our other keepers Lee Mitchener and Greg Livermore alongside Tom tomorrow to see which one we keep in for the next five weeks while Tom's off!"