Sutton United boss Ernie Howe has not given up hope of a £4,000 raid on cash-strapped Blue Square South rivals Basingstoke Town.

Howe had an offer for Dragons striker Michael Charles and centre-back Jason Bristow turned down earlier this month.

But he is still in the market for a goalscorer after Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Bath City ended an unbeaten run of four matches that lifted United off the foot of the table.

Charles notched 22 goals for Farnborough Town last season and, with Basingstoke's financial problems thought to be mounting, the Sutton boss hasn't ruled out a second swoop.

"We are still crying out for a couple of experienced players," said Howe.

"We are not scoring goals and are having to rely on nicking goals and results.

"A prolific goalscorer would help and I know Michael well from my time at Farnborough.

"We made an offer for the two players but they turned it down. We are not going to go back with an improved offer, so from that point of view it is dead in the water.

"But I think the Basingstoke issue could come to a head soon and they may be interested in coming back to do some business with us."

Howe has overseen a revival in recent weeks, with United still in touch with safety at the foot of the table.

And the manager, who is without the suspended Nicky Green and Paul Honey for Saturday's trip to Fisher Athletic, is confident his side can bounce back from the weekend disappointment.

"The recent run has given everyone the belief we have a chance of survival," he said.

"We had a long meeting with the players after Saturday's game and made it clear we cannot afford them not to turn up ready to scrap for everything.

"I'm not concerned about Fisher as we have got to get our own house in order.

"We have to stop making stupid mistakes and take the chances we get."