A deal to take Kyle Lightbourne to English First Division outfit Grimsby Town fell through at the 11th hour yesterday. Lightbourne, given a free transfer by Second Division Stoke City at the beginning of the week, held talks with Mariners manager Lenny Lawrence just hours before English football's transfer deadline. But sources say the pair could not agree on personal terms for the Bermudian striker and the planned transfer was scrapped. All moves had to be carried out by 5.00 p.m. (GMT) yesterday and although there was also interest in the frontman from Second Division clubs Cambridge United and Northampton, Third Division Scunthorpe, Scottish Premier League Aberdeen and non-league Yeovil, Lightbourne was still a Stoke player when the deadline expired. His failure to find himself a new club means he will have to remain at Stoke until the end of the season. His contract is due to expire in the summer and he will be free to look for a new employer then. Grimsby -- struggling near the foot of their division -- are in desperate need of a striker after suffering injuries to Bradley Allen and Steve Livingstone. The club did have Danish forward David Nielsen on their books until recently but he opted to return to his homeland, rather than extend his loan from FC Copenhagen. Sources close to the club say talks went on for most of yesterday between Lawrence and Lightbourne, but the signing-on fee -- a cash payment commonly made to players when they switch clubs -- and wages proved to be unsurmountable obstacles.

Lightbourne was unavailable for comment and Town manager Lawrence was reluctant to say much about discussions when contacted by The Royal Gazette .

"It didn't happen. We tried, nobody's at fault it just didn't happen,'' a clearly exhausted Lawrence said. "Suffice to say it was a last minute thing and it didn't come off, it's nobody's fault and that's it.'' Stoke's football executive, John Rudge, also sounded disappointed that Lightbourne was unable to secure a move away from the Brittannia Stadium.

"The idea of giving Kyle a free (transfer) this week was to help him get fixed up,'' Rudge said.

"He hasn't managed to do that, so he will now come back here and it is up to him to work hard over the remainder of the season and try and force his way back into first-team contention.'' That will be easier said than done for not only will Lightbourne have to prove he still has the desire to play for Stoke, he will also have to prove he is better than the plethora of strikers already at manager Gudjon Thordarson's disposal.

Lightbourne and the manager fell out towards the end of last year when the pair were involved in a heated argument.

It would seem unlikely, therefore, that the Icelander would be keen to welcome him back with open arms.

The only way he may force himself into first-team reckoning is if there is a sudden rash of injuries and illness at the club.

What would seem more likely is that the 32-year-old will have to make do with playing reserve team football and keeping himself fit in an effort to attract a suitor when the summer comes.

Missed the boat: The failure of Kyle Lightbourne (right) to sign for a new club before yesterday's English transfer deadline means he is unlikely to play first team football for the rest of this season.