GRAVESEND & Northfleet have failed in an attempt to sign former Millwall goalkeeper Phil Smith from Dover.

Manager Andy Ford moved for the 22-year-old in an attempt to hot up competition for established first choice Jamie Turner but lost out when fellow Conference club Margate intervened.

Smith, who made his league debut for Millwall against Gillingham at Priestfield in 1998, is highly rated and has the ability to make a return to the Nationwide League.

Ford said: “I spoke to Phil Smith with a view to him coming here but then Margate came in and he went there. I shall continue looking and we'll have to see what develops.”