While Lee Protheroe was debating whether to take up a new contract, Aldershot Town pulled the rug from under him by signing Peterborough United full-back Dean Hooper as a replacement.

"Lee was disappointed to leave the club," admitted manager Terry Brown. "He is a quality full-back whose distribution is second to none at this level. And he was one of our strongest players."

"But Dean Hooper became available while Lee was umming and arring. He is the sort of player I'm looking for to take us into the Conference and I felt I had to make a move."

Hooper, 31, will be a straight replacement for Protheroe who discovered that Brown is not the sort of man to wait while a player delays his decision to see if better offers come in.

Aldershot hope to announce more signings in the next few days. Last week, former QPR goalkeeper Nikki Bull and ex-Woking man Roscoe D'sane joined the club.

Brown has released six players and prized midfielder Mark Bentley has left the club to join Gravesend in the Conference.

Leading scorer Stafford Browne has yet to sign a new contract.

Aldershot's pre-season friendlies will include a match at Farnborough Town on Tuesday, July 30.