Hastings United have pulled off a coup by signing former Eastbourne Borough midfielder Simon Johnson.

He arrives from National League south side Maidstone United, who he joined in the summer after turning down a deal at Priory Lane.

Johnson will go straight into the squad for the FA Cup clash against Poole Town today at the Pilot Field.

Billy Medlock also signed for the club recently and assistant manager Danny Bloor said: “Signings like this show that players want to come and play for us."

Bloor hopes United can produce an upset when they host Poole Town in the Cup.

The U’s enjoyed a great run in the competition three seasons ago but assistant boss Bloor reckons the Southern League premier division table-toppers arrive as favourites to progress.

Bloor, a betting advisor, said: “The higher they are the higher they have to fall.

"They go into the game as favourites but as I well know the favourites don’t always win.

“They are a strong side but we fancy ourselves against anyone on our day.”