STRIKER Michael Yates has moved on from the Giant Axe - to sign for Witton Albion.

Yates has been at the centre of a great debate among City fans all season - should he play or should he go has been the question at the heart of many arguments.

But manager Phil Wilson nailed his colours to the mast when he announced on the club website that he had agreed to release the former Liverpool and Dundee United forward.

"I am sorry to see him go but he needs first team football to regain his confidence and since Jamie Hughes has come to the club he has found it hard to break into the team," said Wilson.

"We need a different type of striker to improve the squad."

Wilson also revealed he believes his new-look City squad is 'getting there' with regard to his ambition to finish the season in the top half of the Unibond table - especially at home where the results are improving.

But he wants to see better performances from the team away from the Giant Axe.

He was encouraged by a battling 0- 0 draw against Altriuncham at their Moss Lane stronghold on Tuesday night which confirmed City in an unaccustomed 12th place in the league.

And Wilson has enquired about bringing winger Peter Thomson to City from Southport, but says he cannot at this stage agree terms with the player who is on a Conference contract with the Sandgrounders.

Meanwhile, City favourite Paul Haddow is back at the club after his short and unsuccessful spell at Haig Avenue.

He played in the reserves at the weekend and Wilson says: "We are trying to get him fit and then he will hopefully come into the squad. Southport's loss could be our gain."