Northampton boss Stuart Gray has revealed he had to act fast to sign Dean Beckwith earlier this week for fear of missing out on one of his top summer transfer targets.

The former Hereford centre-back arrived at Sixfields earlier this week on an initial one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, having been released by the Bulls at the end of last season.

He told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo: "Dean is a player who has always took my eye and we have done well to get him there.

"We had to act quickly or we would have lost him and there were plenty of clubs ready to pounce."