Brighton and Hove Albion manager Martin Hinshelwood has been foiled in a bid to make his first signing.

Gillingham centre half Guy Butters turned down a move to the Seagulls last night after failing to agree personal terms.

Hinshelwood wanted the 31-year-old former Portsmouth and Spurs stopper to fill the gap created by Simon Morgan's retirement at the end of last season.

"I am disappointed because he would have done a good job for me," said Hinshelwood.

"He would have been ideal on the pitch and off it. We have offered him a good deal, but we just cannot agree personal terms."

Butters boasts a wealth of First Division experience with Gillingham and Portsmouth, where he spent six years and still lives.

He played for the Gills in half of their League games last season and still has two years left on his contract at the Priestfield Stadium.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler is prepared to let him go because he has plenty of competition for places at centre back.

Hinshelwood will now turn his attention elsewhere unless Butters has a change of heart.

Croatian Marijan Kovacevic has been on trial with the Seagulls, but he has not fitted the bill.

Butters' former Portsmouth team-mate Robbie Pethick is likely to partner captain Danny Cullip in tomorrow's final friendly at Bournemouth.

Bobby Zamora, sidelined from pre-season so far by minor groin surgery, is scheduled to start along with Gary Hart, who is being nursed back from a broken leg.

Hinshelwood is still optimistic about signing a striker to link up with Zamora before the big kick-off at Burnley on August 10.

Kerry Mayo has softened the blow of Butters' rejection by become the latest member of the existing squad to sign a new contract. The Cuckfield-born leftback has agreed a three-year deal.

Hart, Nathan Jones, Richard Carpenter, Paul Watson, Charlie Oatway and Michel Kuipers have already pledged their futures to the Seagulls since last season's Second Division title triumph.

A strong Albion XI tackle Withdean at Woodside Road, Worthing tonight (7.30).