Scott Vernon has decided not to join Carlisle from Colchester.

The striker has been the subject of strong interest from the Cumbrians who were willing to send goalkeeper Ben Williams to Colchester as part of the deal.

The move did appear to be in some jeopardy on Friday morning, though, when Carlisle boss Greg Abbott threatened to pull the plug on the switch unless Colchester rubber-stamped the deal.

And Vernon himself has now called a halt to proceedings by choosing to stay and fight for his place at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

"Scott has decided that he wants to stay with Colchester at the moment, so he won't be coming here to join us," Abbott told his club's official website.

"He has told his people down there that he wants to try and fight for his place. He hadn't initially asked for a transfer, so he feels that he wants to stay there at this moment in time."