Heybridge Swifts striker Richard Jolly has been drafted in by AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson to replace the departing Paul Barnes.

Jolly, who has scored 14 league goals for Swifts this season, has signed for the Kingsmeadow club as boss Anderson looks to bolster his strikeforce as his side's promotion push approaches the critical stage.

The 22-year-old striker will battle for a Dons starting spot with fellow front men Roscoe Dsane, Steve Ferguson, Ryan Peters, Steve Wales, Stephen Goddard and Richard Butler.

Anderson said: "Richard is a proven goalscorer at this level. By adding him to the team we have strengthened our strike force ready for the run in to the end of the season.

"This proves that the club is serious about getting promotion this season and I know that Richard is very keen to help us to achieve that."

But Anderson has also confirmed the departure of pacy striker Paul Barnes who has signed for Ryman Division One North club Arlesey Town.

Barnes is the second Dons frontman to leave the club in as many weeks after Darren Grieves was shipped out to East Thurrock on loan.

And Anderson says Barnes' departure is mainly due to the amount of time it takes the striker to travel to training and matches.

"Paul was finding the travel to Kingsmeadow very time-consuming and it was also causing his back problem to take longer to mend than we had hoped.

"Therefore, when Arlesey came in with a bid we talked it through with him and came to the conclusion that, while we didn't want to lose him, a move was in his best interests. We wish him every success at his new club."

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