HOTSHOT striker Stuart Fleetwood has turned down the opportunity to join Crewe Alexandra this morning (Wednesday).

The Forest Green Rovers and Wales Under-21 hitman had looked set to bolster the misfiring Alex frontline after the clubs had reached a £175,000 transfer fee.

However, with other clubs circling, the former Cardiff City trainee has decided to see out the remainder of the season and his contract with Rovers, for whom he has already scored 26 goals in all competitions.

The news will come as a blow to the Railwaymen, who had spent nearly a fortnight trying to ensnare their man, and they will now need to move quickly for an alternative with only eight days of the January transfer window left.

Meanwhile, the Alex lost 2-1 to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last night.

Tom Pope grabbed a consolation deep into injury time, but only after the Swans had dominated the match, taking a 2-0 lead through Tom Butler and on-loan Liverpool winger Paul Anderson.

The latest defeat leaves the Alex perilously close to the relegation zone, with Cheltenham and Millwall hot on their heels and with games in hand.