NEIL Catlin has left second division Marlow to join third division neighbours Flackwell Heath.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who once played in the Conference for Hayes and Stevenage Borough swapped clubs on Tuesday, to continue a long line of players who have turned out for both clubs.

Heath's joint chairman Geoff Turner said: "When Marlow beat us earlier in the year he was the best player on the pitch. We're delighted to get him. He will give us a bit of steel and add some real quality to our midfield.

"His arrival can only strengthen our promotion push."

Catlin, who was being used as a sweeper at Marlow, began his career at Flackwell before doing the rounds with Conference and Ryman clubs.

But high-flying Heath, who slumped to their first home league defeat when they were beaten 2-1 by Aveley last Saturday, have not finished there.

Turner revealed that the club is chasing another midfielder and a new striker as fifth-placed Heath try to close Arlesey Town's seven-point lead at the top.

He said: "We're ambitious and we desperately want to go up this season."

He also revealed that The Heathens made an unsuccessful attempt earlier in the season to try and lure Simon Garner out of retirement.

Garner, 41, finally hung his boots up after an illustrious career, with Blackburn, West Brom and Wycombe, by playing his final season for Flackwell last season.

Turner said: "If he was playing for us this year we would be top of the table there's no doubt about that. We tried to persuade him to come back but he's made his decision and is sticking with it."

Heath travel to Wingate and Finchley on Saturday, hoping to erase the memory of last week's setback.

Then, Gary Wiltshire scored his 12th goal of the season, to move within three goals of top scorer Jamie Charles, but it was not enough as Guy Anson's own goal and Sam Bass's header proved to be their undoing.