Young defender Josh Mullins has joined Bedford Town on a one-month loan, and had a hand in their goal in the 1-1 away draw at Stratford Town on Saturday.

Mullins impressed on loan at Bedford in the closing stages of last season, helping them secure promotion from the Southern League Division One and being part of the team that won the play-off final.

Now in the Southern League Premier Central, they are 13th in the table following Saturday’s draw and Bedford took the lead early in the second half of the game when Mullins played the ball to Josh Flanagan who slotted it through to Gucci Soulya to score.

Mullins made seven appearances for the Eagles during his previous loan, and clearly caught the eye as the official Bedford Town account on X posted: “Great to have Josh Mullins back in our group, an accomplished and determined young player who made a big difference to solidify our run-in last season, and a medal that followed.”

Born in Watford, Mullins joined the Hornets in 2014 at nine years old and was awarded a professional contract in May of this year.

Bedford are managed by Lee Bircham, a coach well known in local football having spent time in charge of Bovingdon, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

Mullins is likely to be in action tomorrow night for Bedford, when they travel to face struggling Biggleswade Town in a league game that kicks-off at 7.45pm.