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Bury boss Chris Casper wasn't far behind though as the Shakers have had a busy day in the transfer market. Coming into Gigg Lane are ex-Burnley youngster Marc Pugh on a short-term contract, Pugh having been recently released by the Clarets, as well as midfielders Lewis Gobern and Ian Ross, from Wolves and Sheffield United respectively on loan to the end of the season. Signed on a temporary transfer for a month is left-winger Jamie Burns from Blackpool, while goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, son of Peter, has seen his loan period from Manchester City extended until the 21st of April. One player has gone the other way out of "the Gigg" though with diminutive striker Jon Newby joining Conference club Kidderminster Harriers on loan for a month.
It's the teams at the wrong end of the table that have, unsurprisingly, been the busiest, and Stockport County continue that theme with two new arrivals at Edgeley Park. 19-year old goalkeeper Ben Smith has signed non-contract forms with the Hatters following his release from Newcastle United, while Dublin-born midfielder Kevin O'Connor joins County from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
Two more clubs with big relegation worries, Barnet and Chester City, made a signing apiece yesterday. The Bees bringing in veteran utility player Paul Warhurst on a short-tem contract, while City have taken lower-league journeyman striker, Jake Edwards, on loan for the rest of the current campaign from Exeter City. Barnet have also extended the loan of Charlton full-back Barry Fuller to a final third month while allowing 22-year old midfielder Ben Bowditch to join Conference South side Yeading on loan for a month. Chester, meanwhile, have let burly striker Marcus Richardson join Macclesfield on loan until the end of the season, with the Silkmen releasing midfielder David Beresford from his contract in order to free up Richardson's place on the wage bill.
Devonians Torquay are also fighting against the drop to the Conference but a number of recent arrivals, including Lee Andrews from Carlisle, has seen the Plainmoor outfit not feel the need to make any more signings today. Midfielder Liam Coleman has left the Gulls on a temporary basis though, joining Forest Green Rovers on loan for a month. Another player dipping his toes into the non-league is Mansfield central midfielder Fraser McLachlan who joins up with Conference promotion play-off hopefuls Morecambe on loan, again until the end of the season.
Darlington boss David Hodgson has seen the need to make changes to his playing staff after the Quakers' 5-0 drubbing at home to title challengers Carlisle United last Saturday. Hodgson has brought in Stockton-born central midfielder James Beaumont from Nottingham Forest and pacey striker Taiwo Atieno from Walsall, both youngsters joining the Durham club on an initial one-month loan period. Leaving the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena however is giant French goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu who has been released following an injury-ravaged spell with the Quakers.
Lincoln City, who are pushing for a play-off appearance for the third successive season, have made two deadline day signings. Well travelled diminutive striker Jamie Forrester joins the Red Imps on a month-long loan deal from Bristol Rovers, while 22-year old Hull-born midfielder Jamie Sherlock links up with the Sincil Bank club on a short-term contract from Conference North club Gainsborough Trinity until the end of this season. Both players go straight into the City squad for the big local derby at home to automatic promotion chasers Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Midfielder Nathan Doyle has impressed in his first month on loan at Notts County from Derby County and will now remain with the Magpies on a temporary basis until the end of the current campaign. Fifth-placed Leyton Orient have looked to strengthen their squad out wide with the arrival of Wayne Corden from Scunthorpe United, ex-Mansfield winger Corden looking to take the O's into League One as he stays at the Matchroom Stadium until the end of the season. Play-off challengers Peterborough United have brought in striker Lloyd Opara on loan from Cheshunt to the end of the campaign, with a view to a permanent transfer. Opara had a trial with Premiership giants Chelsea last week and the pacey frontman is highly rated in the non-league scene, the Posh also signed ex-Doncaster left-back Tim Ryan on a short-term contract on Monday of this week.