PAUL Smith believes he's added the final piece to his jigsaw by bringing in Hereford central defender Dan Preston for the remainder of the season.

The six-foot plus Preston, who was previously with Birmingham City, proved a tower of strength on his debut against Stourport Swifts last Saturday.

Smith said: "He's just what we've been missing. He's a big, strong lad and a leader on the pitch. He fits the bill perfectly and he's not cup tied for the FA Vase.

"Dan's been struggling with injuries this season, although he's played in four of Hereford's last five games.

"I spoke with Hereford manager Peter Beadle who was looking to get him out for the rest of the season.

"Although we already have some good defenders, Dan brings something different to the side.

"I've been looking for someone all season who can bark out orders on the pitch and Dan fits that role.

"He made an immediate impact at Swifts, it was everything you would want from a debut. It feels as though he's already been here for ages".

Two goals from Richard Gregory, making it nine in seven games plus another from strike partner Jason Cowley took Sporting to top of the table and Smith praised his strike partnership this week.

Smith said: "It isn't easy to get straight back on the horse again after the FA Vase success, but we played very well against Swifts and in the last 25 minutes we could have easily scored four or five goals.

"With Richard and Jason together, the pair look really dangerous and it's no surprise the goals keep coming.

"Richard picked up a bit of hamstring tweak, so I left him out of the Birmingham Senior Cup game against Nuneaton. He's one of those players you have to keep wrapped up in cotton wool.

"I'm having to rotate the squad at the moment and the players completely understand that. In fact the attitude has been first class.

"With Ahmed Ali and John Pykett both due back shortly, it brings the squad back up to 20 and I need to keep all of them at the top of their game.

"We travel to Haughmond on Saturday and can take nothing for granted.

"Haughmond were bottom recently but they've won three of their last four games. They will prove you cannot take anyone lightly at this level."