Stamford AFC strikers Cameron Johnson and Jonathon Margetts reject transfer approaches from Belper Town and Spalding United

Stamford's championship charge has received a double boost after strike duo Jonathon Margetts and Cameron Johnson rejected lucrative moves away from the Zeeco Stadium.

Top scorer Margetts has been the subject of a seven-day approach from the Daniels' Northern Premier League Midlands Division title rivals Spalding United.

Northern Premier Division side Belper Town have lodged a similar notice for fellow frontman Johnson who has recently returned from injury.

However, the pair have both pledged their futures to the Daniels, much to the delight of manager Graham Drury who also had a higher level approach for Margetts from Ilkeston Town turned down earlier in the season.

Drury said: "We've fought off two big seven-day approaches which I'm really chuffed about.

"Spalding have offered crazy money for Margetts and, fair play to him, because once again he has turned down a great personal offer to stop with us.

"He wants to try and get a promotion on his CV and he wants to do it with us and will be going all out to try and do that.

"He's really important to what we do. It's one of those pieces in the jigsaw that, if you're going to achieve things, then you need your main men to stop.

"Belper have made an amazing offer to Cameron but he's staying loyal to us and wants to achieve the same goals as everyone else at the club.

"It's a really big boost. Cameron is in great form, he seems really settled and is a big threat for us."

Margetts moved to the top of the Midlands Division goalscoring charts when he netted the opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 away win at Harborough Town.

Rob Morgan also scored for the second successive game as Stamford went back to the top of the table with victory over their play-off chasing hosts.

Drury added: "Harborough is a tough place to go. They've been on a good run of form and are one of the sides trying to get into the play-off places.

"We backed up what we did against Corby in the previous match and I told the players that they had to raise their game five per cent all over the pitch which we did.

"We were very good in all areas of the pitch. We defended really well from the front and the whole side stood up to be counted when we needed to as they put a lot of pressure on. We worked really hard as a team to defend well.

"It showed that other side to our game again where we had to roll our sleeves up, dig in which bodes well for the next couple of months."

However, the shine was taken off the victory by a serious injury to midfielder Mike Armstrong.

Armstrong - in his first game back after a one-match suspension - came on as a second half substitute but, 12 minutes after his introduction, he had to be withdrawn after an injury in a 50-50 tackle.

He was taken to hospital where x-rays revealed two breaks in his metatarsal and a dislodged toe which required an operation yesterday (Thursday).

Drury commented: "We've got everything crossed for Mikey and hopefully the operation went well.

"It did put a dampener on the day but we'll wish him well and we'll look after him as best as we can."

The Daniels will be without Armstrong for Saturday's home match with Dereham Town at the Zeeco Stadium.

However, striker Jack Duffy is available again after completing his three-match suspension while Billy Bennett also returned from injury on Saturday.

Duffy scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 away win at Dereham in August and his return will further strengthen a squad which has also been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Dan Wallis who has kept clean sheets in the last two games.

Drury added: "We had Dereham watched at Shepshed on Saturday. They were a decent side at their place but Jack Duffy did the damage against them so it could be important to have him back.

"It's really great to have him available again. He's a big player and a big character for us so I'm over the moon to get him back.

"The squad is really strong at the moment and we've got no excuses. We've got to give it our best shot and that's what we'll be looking to do week in, week out."