NEIL Young has offset the loss of Scott Leather to Chorley by making Fulham under-21 keeper Andrew Dawber his second signing as Altrincham manager.

Just hours after Chorley confirmed centre-back Leather had joined them, Alty boss Young completed the capture of 21-year-old Wigan-born Dawber and promised more new arrivals of a similar ilk.

"Andrew is someone I tried to sign for Stockport last year, but he went to Fulham instead, so I'm delighted to have got him at the second attempt," Young said.

"He fits the profile of player we want here, in terms of age as well as ability, and hopefully he will develop as expected and be a fantastic goalkeeper for this football club.

"As was the case with our first signing, Charlie Joyce, his age reflects our thinking in the way we want to take Altrincham forward.

"There is a lot more work to be done, and we’re cracking on with it.

"Talks have taken place with a number of other targets, and they will continue."

After working his way through the junior ranks at Accrington Stanley, Dawber was closely monitored by Manchester United and trained at their Carrington complex, under the watchful eye of goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, during the 2012-13 season.

James Beattie, manager of Accrington at the time, gave the arrangements the go-ahead, and said: "Andrew has great potential, and Eric Steele absolutely loves him.

"He was going in once a week a while ago, but he seems to be in there all the time now.

"He needs to be playing games, of course, but training in that environment will only give him a better mental approach and belief."

Dawber took the eye on his senior debut for Accrington, conceding goals to former Alty strikers Jack Redshaw and Kevin Ellison in Morecambe’s 2-0 Football League Trophy win but still emerging as man of the match for a string of outstanding saves.

On Leather’s departure, Young added: "It’s disappointing, but I understand people will get better offers elsewhere.

"I only want players here who are fully committed to what we are doing."