The Football Conference has confirmed talks over a potential deal with ESPN to televise Blue Square Premier matches have broken down.

The Conference has been seeking another broadcaster after the demise of Irish company Setanta in June 2009.

"We are disappointed we haven't been able to conclude a deal but we continue our search," said Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick.

Blue Square Premier clubs had budgeted to receive around £80,000 from Setanta.

Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas says he is disappointed but not surprised a deal could not be reached in the current financial climate.

He told BBC Oxford: "I think it is a very difficult deal to agree, I don't think it was an easy deal to get over the line.

"That being said our game against Luton shows what this league can offer at times and hopefully there will be some other companies in the wings."

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