Eastbourne Borough boss Tommy Widdrington has landed striker Nathaniel Pinney – at the second attempt.

The 23-year-old former Crystal Palace forward has been joined Borough from Kingstonian.

He trained with his new team-mates yesterday and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game at Chelmsford.

When he was Salisbury manager, Widdrington tried to sign Pinney who was then a young professional at Crystal Palace.

Pinney went on to make two first-team appearances for the Eagles but was released at the end of the 2011-12 season and subsequently had spells at Croydon, Carshalton, Tonbridge Angels and Dulwich Hamlet.

He was also a loan target for Lewes while Steve Ibbitson was manager at the Dripping Pan.

Widdrington said: “He is a young player with lots of energy who has much to offer the team.

“He has some good qualities but needs to fit with a side that will complement what he has to offer.”

Pinney’s arrival coincides with the departure of James Walker, who Widdrington revealed in The Argus last week was free to find another club.

Walker, who has failed to score since rejoining Borough in the summer, has joined Bishop’s Stortford.