NEIL Warnock moved swiftly to beat the transfer deadline yesterday when he landed Leeds United striker Derek Lilley.

The 25-year-old joined the Shakers on loan until the end of the season and was introduced to his new teammates over a game of 10-pin bowling.

He is the sixth striker to be signed by the Bury manager this season following Andy Preece, Laurent D'Jaffo, Lutel James, Adrian Littlejohn and Paul Barnes.

Warnock wasted no time in contacting the highly-rated Scotsman after Coventry City demanded the return of winger Paul Hall on Tuesday night, four days after agreeing to extend his loan deal.

"It was a huge blow to us," admitted Warnock. "It was totally unexpected but Gordon Strachan said he had a big injury problem for this weekend and would probably need Paul for the bench.

"He apologised and there was nothing more we could do - only start looking for a replacement.

"I was delighted when we completed the Lilley deal. He is top quality."

A former Morton hero, Lilley scored 57 goals in 180 appearances and was the leading scorer in the Scottish First Division before his move to Elland Road.

He has made just four starts for the Yorkshire giants, with 19 as a substitute, but has not had a look-in under manager David O'Leary who released him on loan to Hearts over Christmas.

"I first saw him six years ago, when I was at Huddersfield," added Warnock.

"He had a good game and showed great movement. We tried to sign him for £100,000 but Leeds bought him for £400,000.

"He is a decent, whole-hearted finisher who brings other players into the game. He is just what we need. "When I first asked about him a week ago I was told he was going nowhere. He had already turned down six clubs, including Huddersfield, Norwich and Oldham, but I cornered him at a game at Mansfield this week. After 20 minutes, I managed to persuade him to join us. He knows our position and is really up for the challenge of trying to keep us up."

After their initial setback, the Shakers had lined up a move for Middlesbrough winger Anthony Ormerod, but pulled out when he was injured in a midweek reserve clash with Burnley.

Warnock said: "We would have taken him otherwise, but he was going to be out for two weeks. We continued to look around and couldn't believe our luck when Lilley agreed to join us. He was my number one choice anyway.

"The chairman and I have been on the phone all week. We are mentally exhausted, but I cannot thank him enough for helping me to sign Lilley. He has worked so hard to bring the lad to the club."

No clubs had come in for £1m-rated stars Dean Kiely or Chris Lucketti when the transfer deadline passed at 5pm last night, much to Warnock's relief.

Mark Patterson, however, has played his last game for Bury after being released by the club yesterday.

Tony Rigby turned down the chance of a loan spell at Shrewsbury and Nigel Jemson chose to stay on at Gigg Lane despite two offers of a loan from unnamed clubs.

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