Emergency calls pay dividends as Mills signs Loach

Former England Under-21 player Loach, 28, has joined the relegation-threatened Minstermen on loan for the rest of the season from Notts County and will make his debut in tomorrow’s National League game at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Loach, whose former clubs include Rotherham United, will step in for Kyle Letheren, who went off with back spasms midway through the second half of Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over fellow strugglers Southport – with Luke Simpson taking his place.

With Simpson’s previous first-team career appearance restricted to just a dozen games and with possible doubts over Letheren’s fitness for the critical run-in, Mills has left nothing to chance, with the board sanctioning his request to bring in the experienced Loach.

On Loach, who has also played for Watford and Ipswich in the Championship, Mills said: “I did not think I would be able to get Scott in, but, fortunately enough, we have managed to do it.

“I had no plans before Tuesday night to bring in a ’keeper, but I was making calls and leaving messages at midnight after the game and then from seven the next morning. The first call was ‘no’, the second call was ‘maybe’ and the third call was ‘yes’.

“Scott’s found himself on the bench at Notts County and, when we spoke to him, he wanted to come straight away because he wants to play. He knows the situation we are in and I didn’t want a young ’keeper.”

Leeds United midfielder Alex Purver has rejoined Guiseley for a second loan spell.

The 21-year-old made a big impact during his 21-match spell with the Lions, and he has returned as they seek to secure National League safety.

Purver will be out of contract at Elland Road in the summer.

Nineteen-year-old full-back Michael Taylor has also joined on loan from Leeds, like Purver until April 29.

Other transfers before the Conference deadline saw young Barnsley defender Jack Cowgill sign for National League North promotion-chasers AFC Fylde on loan for the rest of the season – joining Oakwell team-mate Josh Kay at the Coasters.

Bradford City defender James King has joined Harrogate Town on loan for the remainder of 2016-17.