EVESHAM United beat the clock to snap up Forest Green Rovers frontrunner Olly Mehew on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Football League protégé has spent much of the campaign on loan at promotion-chasing Southern League West clubs Taunton Town, Salisbury and Bideford.

United’s swoop came about a matter of hours before the registration deadline passed at 5pm and provides a timely boost to their play-off push.

“It all came about from around midday onwards,” said Evesham boss Paul Collicutt.

“With us set to lose Paul Fahy and Lewis Binns getting injured, we had to try to make sure we had enough going forward and Olly has scored goals wherever he has been.

“Scott Bartlett (academy manager) at Forest Green told me the lad is in the best shape, physically and mentally, he has been for some time and we look forward to seeing what he can do.”

Meanwhile, Collicutt was braced for Evesham to lose goalkeeper Alex Harris.

League rivals Paulton Rovers swooped after Harris discovered he would be unlikely to feature for Midland Football League club Westfields for the rest of the season.

Harris signed for Evesham as cover for Kevin Sawyer in February.