Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has wished Adam Birchall all the best after his club fell behind in the race for the hotshot Dover striker.

League 2 rivals Swindon Town and AFC Wimbledon have both made succesful bids for the front-man following Gillingham’s offer on Friday which was turned down by Dover.

Hessenthaler took Birchall (pictured), who scored 46 times for Blue Square Bet South Dover last season, to his former club and he instructed Gills chairman Paul Scally to try and bring him to Priestfield.

Unless the Gills up their offer it appears that the 26-year-old is heading elsewhere.

Following Gillingham’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat at Bromley on Saturday, Hessenthaler admitted: "We did put an offer in for him, but if he’s signed for Swindon then obviously I’ll wish him all the best.

"I signed Adam, I brought him over there along with Matt Fish and Ross Flitney and they brought success to Dover by getting them out of the doldrums of non-league football."

Hessenthaler’s comments came after news of Swindon’s offer came to light. Dover subsequently also accepted an offer from AFC Wimbledon.

Dover confirmed that Gillingham had an offer for Birchall turned down.

The Gills made their move on Friday morning in what was described as a "joke bid" by Dover chairman Jim Parmenter. A substantial five-figure sum is understood to have been agreed and the player must now agree personal terms with the club of his choice.