SOUTHPORT defender Paul Barratt has turned down a move to Blue Square North strugglers Northwich Victoria and signed a permanent deal with the Sandgrounders.

The former Liverpool youngster has been on non-contract terms since arriving from Worcester City in November and Vics manager Dino Maamria was hoping to secure his services.

Port manager Peter Davenport said “Paul has made an impact since I signed him. He is ambitious and wants to play at the highest level he can.

“Paul believes that we can gain promotion, he enjoys it here and I am very pleased he has decided to stay with us.”

Davenport has received a further boost with the news

Mark Duffy’s back injury is not as bad as first feared. A specialist has diagnosed a trapped ligament at the base of the spine. Duffy is undergoing treatment and could be fit for next weekend’s trip to Hinckley.

The draw at Bower Fold ended a run of three straight league defeats and Davenport believes their Blue Square North promotion push is back on track ahead of today’s home clash with fellow play-off hopefuls Nuneaton Borough.

“I was pleased to get a point because we had been stuck on 51 points for a long time,” he said. “It was a difficult night with the floodlights going off and the game being held up for half an hour in the second half.

“After three away games in a row it will be nice to play at home again and if we get a win it won’t have been a bad week for us.”