ACCRINGTON Stanley have been dealt a blow after defensive duo Nicky Hunt and Rob Atkinson turned down the chance to stay at the club.

Hunt and Atkinson, whose current contracts run out at the end of next month, were offered new deals by the League Two outfit.

But both players have rejected the terms put to them and they will become free agents on July 1.

“There is no animosity,” Reds boss John Coleman told the club’s official website.

“We offered them contracts and gave them a week to think about it and they have come back and said they are not taking up the offers.

“It’s nothing personal. They have to do what is best for the families, they are not being disrespectful to the club and they go with our best wishes.

“It’s their livelihood and they may be able to get a better wage elsewhere and I understand that. There is no ill-feeling.

“Both have been good servants to the club and both said how much they enjoyed their time here.”

Former Bolton Wanderers right-back Hunt, 31, has made 80 appearances for Stanley after initially signing on loan from Rotherham United in January 2013.

Centre-back Atkinson, 28, has made 81 appearances for the Reds, scoring three goals, since his initial loan move from Fleetwood Town in September 2012.

Coleman is still in talks with captain Luke Joyce and potential new signings.

New contracts have been offered to six players under the age of 24. They have a month to decide.