Ex-Peterborough United midfielder joins Buxton on loan from Hereford

Attacking midfielder Nicholson has joined the Bucks on a 28-day loan from National League North side Hereford FC ahead of Saturday's trip to Grantham Town.

Nicholson is described as having "silky skills and a good turn of pace" on Hereford's official club website, as well as possessing an eye for goal from his records.

“He's a very good goalscorer,” Hayward told the Advertiser.

“He does score goals and that's one of the main reasons we got him.

“The game against Bamber Bridge, for example, if we'd have had him playing for us and a couple of those chances went to him then I know for a fact they would have found the back of the net.

“The lad is class.

“He's very quick, very direct and finds pockets.

“He's my kind of player and hopefully he'll link up well with Diego, who is the only one scoring goals at the moment.

“We need to put some more goals into the side and hopefully Jordan will be that man to do it for us.”

Nicholson began his career at Cambridge City at Step 3 of the non-League pyramid before goal-laden spells at Sawston United, Eynesbury Town and then Histon.

It earned him a move to League One's Peterborough United where he made his Football League debut in February 2016 in a 3-0 defeat away at Millwall.

From there he had loan spells at Nuneaton Town, of the National League North, before he signed for Barnet in League Two for the 2017/18 campaign.

Time at Brackley Town, Darlington - finishing the season the club's top scorer with 11 goals - followed before joining Hereford in the summer for the now 26-year-old.

“Jord is a very attacking-minded player,” said Hayward.

“I tried to sign him in the summer when I was at Hednesford and we've always kept in touch since then.

“He hasn't really enjoyed it at Hereford and when I found out there was a chance to take him we jumped at the chance.

“He's a very good player and I want to keep him until the end of the season.”

Nicholson had signed ahead of Tuesday night's scheduled home match against Warrington, which was postponed due to snow on the Tarmac Silverlands pitch.

He will be available for Hayward to select ahead of a vital week with trips to fourth-from-bottom Grantham on Saturday and bottom side Stafford Rangers on Tuesday.

The last week has seen departures with Brian Wilson, Ryan Jennings and Alex McQuade leaving the club ahead of last Saturday's home draw with FC United of Manchester.

A bumper crowd of 1,206 witnessed Buxton twice pegged back against promotion-chasing FC United, having twice led through two Diego De Girolamo goals.

“He's flying,” said Hayward. “He's playing the best football he has done for a long time, playing under me. I think he wants to stop at the club.”

Regan Linney had levelled matters momentarily before Diego got his second from the penalty spot, only for Paul Ennis to equalise in the dying moments of the game.

Hayward was pleased with a point against a side in form and given the reverse fixture between the two sides earlier in the season.

“Saturday was a bit of a kick in the teeth but I can't fault the lads who all worked really hard and played for 56 minutes with 10 men,” said Hayward.

“Their equaliser either goes into the allotments or it goes into the top corner and at the minute with our luck, it's going in the top corner.

“It was a good point because they're on a rich vein of form.

“We've got a good side and my lads don't go under - they give it a good go - they're not frightened of playing anyone and that's why we'll get out of this predicament we’re currently in.”

And with games against Grantham, Stafford and Gainsborough Trinity on the horizon Hayward remains confident his side can pull away from the nether regions of the BetVictor NPL Premier Division table.

"They're all big games between now and the end of the season - every single one of them. We need points and we don't care where they come from. Every time we step foot on the pitch, it's a big game,” added Hayward.