ALDERSHOT Town have signed full-back Anthony Straker for a second spell, but the club have lost highly-rated central defender Omar Beckles to Accrington Stanley.

Beckles, 24, the Supporters’ Player of the Year, was outstanding for the Shots last season after joining from St Albans.

Aldershot offered him a new contract, but were resigned to losing the 6ft 3 centre-back when he did not respond.

Beckles has said he never turned down a new deal and was just exploring his options.

He said on Twitter: “I would like to thank everyone involved at Aldershot Town, you gave me the platform to get back into League football and for that I will be for ever grateful.

“Just to clear the air, I never once turned down an offer at Aldershot. I just needed time to explore my options and to my surprise this misunderstanding led to the announcement I’d left the club.

“I needed more time because I felt a League club would present itself, which has proven to be the case. I made my decision purely to play at a higher level and gave myself a new challenge.

“I will cherish every moment with the Shots and wish you all the very best in the future.”

Beckles has signed a one-year deal, with the option of a further year, at Accrington Stanley who reached the League Two play-offs last season, only to lose to AFC Wimbledon in the semi-final.

Anthony Straker, 27, played 229 matches for Aldershot between 2007 and 2012, including 43 league games in the 2007-08 Blue Square Premier title-winning season.

In recent years, he has moved forward into midfield, but Gary Waddock sees him filling a more orthodox defensive role.

“He’s a left-back for me and he wants to be a left-back,” said the manager who is also back for a second term at Aldershot.

“He knows how I play and that suits him. We want to see him bombing up and down the wing, but first and foremost he’s a defender and he will be judged on that. For me, though, the best way to defend is attack the opposition and let them worry about us.”

The Grenada international was most recently with Grimsby Town, following his departure from York City. His 18 months with the Minstermen included a 13-game loan spell with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.