King's Lynn Town have failed with a four-figure bid for midfielder Robert Hughes from UCL title rivals St Neots.

Linnets' joint boss Kevin Boon confirmed the clubs had agreed a fee for the out-of-favour Hughes but Lynn instead are expected to complete a move for ex-Boston United midfielder Adam Millson on non- contract terms. Boon believes Town's efforts to bolster the squad signal their intent to push big-spending St Neots all the way in the title race.

'Buster (Chapman) and Jonathan have said all along if we identify players they will back our judgement,' said Boon. 'We have a budget we work to but should players become available – even if there is a fee involved – we can go to them and they will listen and back our judgement.

'We had agreed a four-figure fee after working on this deal for the past three weeks. We went over with our secretary to complete the formalities of the paperwork and their chairman has now pulled the plug. He reckons they have too many injuries but the lad hasn't featured for them and was allowed out on loan to Deeping recently. This has just stiffened my resolve when we do come up against them in the league.' Town's management had tracked Hughes since the summer before stepping up their chase.

'The player himself is gutted,' said Boon. 'It was something we had been pursuing originally in the summer but it didn't happen. We looked elsewhere but then in the last three weeks I spoke directly to their chairman and said, 'was there a deal we could come to?'

'The lad himself is a fans' favourite over there so I don't know if that has had any bearing on it but I felt it was important to let our supporters know what has happened. We are actively looking to strengthen and this shows how ambitious we are.' Club officials are due to clinch the signing of Millson this weekend but the 21-year-old former Pilgrim will not feature in Town's FA Vase tie against Gorleston. 'We have a situation where Luke (Thurlbourne) is carrying a knee problem and Pat (Bexfield) obviously has had his health issues so we need to make sure we are covered,' he said.

'Adam is one who comes highly recommended by Steve Walsh who used to play for the club.

'He is only 21 and he is just really picking up his career again after injury but he was a major player in a Boston United squad that got promoted.' Boon confirmed Bexfield has declared himself fit for the FA Vase tie after undergoing hospital tests earlier this week and young defender Ryan Fryatt has also been drafted into the squad.