PHIL Wilson has lost his keeper battle after being speared by Southport.

The outstanding keeper, regarded by many as the best in the Nationwide Conference North, has decided to quit the Giant Axe and will move to Haig Avenue after City's clash with Ashton on March 28.

That is a blow for Wilson and the Dolly Blues, who are effectively powerless to keep their man - and must let Speare leave for free.

Southport launched their bid for Speare and the lure of possible Conference football next season swayed his mind.

Southport are top of Conference North and favourites to claim automatic promotion into English Football's fifth tier.

There is no doubt that was the deciding factor for the ex-Accrington Stanley man.

"We are very disappointed to lose Jamie but we wish him all the best and thank him for his time here," Wilson says.

"It is very annoying that we don't get any money for him - but it is better to let him go because no-one has been to tribunal in our league and that's a risky business.

"There is no precedent for this - but this is the fifth time this has happened this season with various clubs so we have to bite the bullet. It doesn't seem right but there is nothing we can do."

The Citizen understands the tribunal system - where the league rules on this sort of stalemate - is expensive with the Conference likely to rule in favour of the buying club.

Southport chairman Charlie Clapham sits on the Conference board, though he would not have been part of any panel.

City are seething about 'Spearegate' and hope the Conference will introdue legislation to protect the smaller clubs from such an approach again.

As things stand, if a player is not on contract a club can make an offer providing they give his current team seven days notice.

Speare faces a battle with Southport fans' favourite Steve Dickinson for the number one shirt.

Wilson has contingency plans in place and expects to sign a new keeper.

"I have a couple of irons in the fire and we will see what hap-pens - we need to concentrate on playing," he says.

"We have kept four clean sheets in our last five games and need to carry that on."

City travel to lowly Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday, looking to gain revenge for a shock defeat at home.

"We are playing okay at the moment and the league is still extremely tight, All we can do is keep on picking points up and see where that takes us," adds Wilson.