YORK City missed out on signing Halifax Town striker Ryan Sugden last night but stole promising Frickley Atheltic midfielder Martyn Woolford from under the noses of League Two outfit Hartlepool.

Former Notts County midfielder Lewis McMahon has also agreed permanent terms with the Minstermen after a spell with the club on a non-contract basis.

A move for Sugden is understood to have fallen through because Halifax were unable to bring in Stevenage front-man Darryn Stamp as a replacement striker.

City boss Billy McEwan was also speaking to Burton yesterday about a possible return to KitKat Crescent for forward Jon Shaw.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker played eight games on loan for City during the 2003/2004 season but Brewers attackers Daryl Clare and Steven Scoffham have both picked up injuries, meaning nothing materialised before the transfer window closed at midnight last night because Shaw could be required for tonight's match at Conference leaders Grays Athletic.

As well as interesting Hartlepool, new signing Woolford went on a pre-season tour with Stockport County this summer and has been scouted by a number of clubs.

The 20-year-old joined Frickley last summer from Glasshoughton, where he had progressed through the Northern Counties East League club's youth ranks.

Woolford netted 14 times last season in the UniBond League premier division for Athletic and got off the mark in the current campaign with a goal during the 3-2 league victory over Whitby Town.

He was also on target in friendlies earlier this month against Worksop and Wakefield-Emley.

About his arrival, McEwan said: "He's a left-sided player predominantly but he can also play on the right. We have been tracking him for a while and several League clubs have been chasing him as well.

"He went on a pre-season tour with Stockport and Hartlepool wanted to take him so we are fortunate he has come to York.

"He's a part-time footballer who is training to be a surveyor so it's a big thing for him to go full-time but he's a young player with potential who we need to develop and improve."

Woolford will be eligible to make his debut for City in tonight's home match against Stafford Rangers but is likely to start on the bench despite Steve Bowey's absence because of suspension.

McEwan said: "With Steve Bowey out we will be a bit lop-sided but we will have to wait and see how we compensate for that."

The City boss added that he missed out on a young Championship player yesterday because of injuries at his club but he was happy not to receive any bids for his own players.

Said McEwan: "We had one or two people ring up but it was just chit-chat. None of them made any offers and I didn't want any.

"We are only five games into the season and I am trying to build a football club so I don't want to lose anybody."