FORMER Eastleigh striker Ben Wright scored twice as Havant & Waterlooville grabbed the Boxing Day derby honours against Gosport Borough.

The much-travelled 26-year-old scored the Hawks’ first two goals before Nic Ciardini capitalised on a slip by ex-Havant defender Brett Poate to net a late winner in the battle between two Conference South promotion hopefuls.

In a cracking game played out in terrible weather conditions, Borough struck first when ex-Saint Matt Paterson opened the scoring with his 16th goal of the season.

Wright levelled with a header but Justin Bennett restored Gosport’s lead early in the second half with his 22nd goal of the campaign.

Wright equalised for the second time, with his fifth goal since arriving at Havant from Eastleigh at the beginning of this month.

With the game heading towards a draw, Poate’s slip allowed Ciardini through on goal with eight minutes remaining.

It was the second successive Boxing Day derby misery for Poate, who had been sent off in the corresponding game 12 months earlier at the same ground.

Havant have now drawn level on points with Gosport on 33 points from 19 games, with fifth placed Borough holding down the final play off place on goal difference alone.

It was only Gosport’s second league loss in 12 games since early September.