ANDY KING is stepping up his search for Jerel Ifil's replacement ahead of the trip to Notts County on Saturday.

The Town boss took in a reserve match between two Division One teams last night in a bid to strengthen his squad.

He would not be drawn on the player he intended to run the rule over but admitted that he was anxious to secure a fresh face.

He said: "I would like to bring a new face in to bolster the squad. I feel the time is right to do so.

"You ask the question about players but unfortunately the answer tends to be 'no' more often than 'yes'."

A fresh face at the back remains the manager's top priority, especially as he seems extremely unlikely to pursue his interest in Finnish defender Mathias Lindstrom.

Before heading off to watch his target, King took in Town reserves as they progressed to the semi-final knock out stage of the Pontin's Holidays Combination Cup with a 1-0 victory over Reading at the County Ground.

The visitors fielded a strong side which featured big money buy Dave Kitson and the experienced Lloyd Owusu in attack.

The match was settled by a man who cost nothing Town's Mark Draycott.

After Andy Hughes had blasted a decent chance over the crossbar on two minutes, Alan Reeves' men took the lead.

Dave Bampton's cross from the right was flicked on by skipper Grant Smith and Draycott coolly rammed his shot beyond Reading keeper Jamie Young.

The visitors should have levelled matters when Owusu connected with Bas Savage's right-wing cross but nodded his header wide of Bart Griemink's right post.

Smith squandered a glorious opening on 25 minutes, hesitating when clean through, and the same player was then thwarted by a fine tackle from Ricky Newman shortly before the interval.

Dean Morgan volleyed over the crossbar at the start of the second half, while Kitson missed from close range on 52 minutes.

Griemink was penalised for impeding the former Cambridge striker on the edge of the box three minutes later but James Harper's resulting free-kick looped comfortably into the Dutch keeper's arms.

Adi Viveash was narrowly off target from a corner but the visitors were desperately unlucky not to haul themselves level when Hughes' glancing header beat Griemink but thudded against the base of the left post.

Draycott and Smith wasted late chances but Town held on to book a semi-final date with Bristol City.

The date, venue and format have yet to be agreed.

King's focus is his first team however and he noted Notts County's sale of Mark Stallard to Barnsley with interest.

He said: "I've always been an admirer of Stallard but he's gone and Notts County have brought in Avun Jephcott from Coventry who I quite like.

"Maybe they'll have funds available from the Stallard transfer to bring in another body for the weekend."

County were due to complete the signing of former Town midfielder Frazer McHugh on a one-month contract today.

Town's players were due to enjoy a rest day today and King was hoping it would benefit Stefani Miglioranzi, who complained of soreness yesterday morning ahead of training.