CHESTER beat yesterday's transfer deadline by snapping up Yeovil midfielder Lee Elam for the rest of the season.

But another part-exchange bid to sign More-cambe midfielder Stewart Drummond was rejected, although there is a strong chance he will end up at the Deva Stadium before next season.

City are without a game tomorrow with scheduled opponents Aldershot in FA Trophy action, so Elam will have to wait until Tuesday for his debut in the rearranged match at troubled Telford (7.45).

To make way for him, City have sent Danny Williams back to Kidderminster under a cloud following his loan spell.

Said City manager Mark Wright: 'I have been a bit disappointed with Danny. We need someone who shows some commitment to us, but his agent has been touting him around other clubs and that's disrespectful to us.'

But he has high hopes for Elam who signed for Yeovil earlier this season following a loan spell from Halifax. 'He is very direct, quick and runs at defenders,' he said.

The 26-year-old England National Game XI player had most of his Conference experience with Morecambe, making 46 starts last season in all competitions and scoring 12 goals, and before that he was at Southport under Wright's management.

Wright will be keeping an eye on the result from Hereford tomorrow when their closest title rivals take on Shrews-bury Town, who damaged their promotion hopes with a midweek home defeat by Aldershot.

'I don't like being without a game, but there's nothing we can do about it,' he said. 'I'm not going to Hereford because we don't play these teams for a while. There are other things we want to look at.'

City's game at Telford, who are in deep financial trouble, was brought forward 24 hours after originally being fixed for next Wednesday. Telford are in FA Trophy semi-final first-leg action against

Said Wright: 'You can't stop the lad playing for his country, but we are waiting to hear what Everton have to say. This is why we signed Andy Woods from Northwich as back-up for this kind of thing.'

Chester's match at Shrewsbury on Tuesday, April 13 is all-ticket. There will be 500 stand tickets (£14, £9 concessions) and 1,500 terrace tickets (£12, £7 concessions).

Tickets will be on sale to season ticket holders only - voucher E - on Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2 at the rate of one per person, between 10am and 7pm at turnstile two.

Tickets go on general sale on Monday, April 5 (one per person) from 10am to 7pm at turnstile two.

Any remaining tickets will be sold on Tuesday, April 6 between 10am and 3pm.

Wayne Brown's testimonial will be at the Deva Stadium on Sunday, May 9 (2pm) between the current squad and a team of former players. Ian Rush and Cyrille Regis are among those approached to take part.

Chester reserves drew 3-3 with Barrow on Tuesday, Darren Byers (2) and Matt Cooke the scorers. Canvey Island tomorrow and Wright will be hoping they remain distracted.

It is standing room only for Chester supporters at the New Bucks Head ground with a 1,400 away capacity.

Chester's only casualty, Jamie Heard, is recovering after being injured at Barnet on Saturday and should be fit for selection next week.

Chester are waiting to hear if goalkeeper Iain Turner, on loan from Everton, can play for them at Telford. He is one of three goalkeepers selected for the Scotland U21 squad to meet Romania on the same night.