ACCRINGTON Stanley have hit a stalemate in their bid to land Altrincham midfielder Ian Craney, writes SUZANNE GELDARD.

The two sides were thought to have agreed a deal for the highly rated 21-year-old early last week.

But further discussions led to a breakdown in talks, with Altrincham saying Stanley's initial bid was below their valuation of the young star.

Now any potential negotiations are likely to be shelved until Stanley manager John Coleman, Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote and chairman Geoffrey Goodwin all return from their respective holidays.

However, frustrated Stanley chairman Eric Whalley has insisted that he will not up the Reds initial offer.

"I'm definitely not going back in with more money," he said.

"We made them an offer then jigged it about based on appearances, but when we spoke again the money they were talking about didn't add up. It wasn't what we'd agreed, so I told them there was no deal.

"I won't change my mind. The deal still might happen but the ball's in Altrincham's court."

Altrincham director Grahame Rowley said: "We've told Accrington our bottom line amount and they have said it does not meet their valuation of the player.

"Basically, we've told them to have a think about it and come back to us.

"We are a business and we have to get the best out of our assets.

"We'd be doing the club and its fans a disservice if we didn't.

"Over the last two years we have posted a small operating profit and we have shown ourselves to be a sensible board.

"To let Ian go for an amount which is not in the best interests of the club would not be a sensible decision."

He added: "Ian has been with us for four seasons now, and has made more than 200 appearances.

"It's right that Altrincham should be rewarded in some way for developing him into one of the finest non-league players outside of the Conference.

"Make no mistake about it, we have no wish to stand in Ian's way.

"Everyone here wants to see him get his dream of full time football, but it has to be at a price that suits us."

Meanwhile, Stanley are still hopeful of securing the services of former Burnley goalkeeper James Salisbury on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic.