AFTER Saturday's 3-1 league defeat to Burscough, Whitby Town were dealt another blow with the news that young striker Jamie Burt has signed an 18-month contract with second division Chesterfield.

Burt had impressed in his short spell at the club since joining them from neighbours Scarborough and played a key role in Whitby's FA Cup run. But such form impressed scouts and, as Burt did not have a contract with Whitby, a move to a league club looked imminent.

Manager Harry Dunn said: "It's a big disappointment to us but he will make the grade and we can't stand in his way."

The loss of Burt will only put more pressure on Dunn's already-stretched squad. Town were without the services of regulars David Goodchild, Alex Gildea and Malton's Richard Dunning and had to call on striker Neil Burn and midfielder Paul What to stand in on Saturday.

Despite going ahead through a David Logan penalty, Burscough equalised with a deflected goal and then a mix up between Rennison and Williams enabled the home side to go 2-1 ahead. As Whitby poured men forward in search of an equaliser, they were caught out at the back and conceded a third.

Manager Harry Dunn said: "We played quite well for 65 minutes. I spoke to their manager John Davison after the game and he couldn't understand, having seen our good football, why we are down at the bottom of the league. But we are not taking our chances."

Whitby visit Colwyn Bay on Saturday.

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, December 13, 2001