The regular custodian throughout this season's campaign was offered a new contract by manager Steve Evans but he turned it down in favour of a better offer from possible play-off contenders Stevenage Borough.

Evans said: "There is no doubt we have kept the players that we wanted to except Ashley Bayes. We have achieved this on a prudent and cost effective basis.

"Ashley was terrific for us, a great character and will be missed but given his financial offer from Stevenage Borough he would have been crazy to reject it."

Striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois has joined the trio who were released by the club last week: Lee Blackburn, James Krause and Paul Watson.

Three other players who have been on loan are to return to their contracted clubs. They are: Kieran Murphy, Mustapha Carayol (both MK Dons) and Ryan Hall (Crystal Palace).

Tyrone Thompson, Dannie Bulman, Jon-Paul Pittman, Bradley Thomas, Thomas Pinault, Glenn Wilson, Jamie Stevens and Jamie Cook have all been retained for next season.

A decision has still to be made about striker Magno Vieira, who is out on loan at play-off finalists Cambridge Utd, and three youth players.

Full story and reaction in Wednesday's Observer