JUSTIN Bennett has left Salisbury after netting 42 goals for the Whites last season.

Gosport Borough's all-time leading scorer is back in the National League South with Oxford City.

Admitting on Twitter that the decision had not been easy, Bennett said: “I mulled it over for days, as last season was one of the most enjoyable seasons I've had.

“Whilst Steve (Claridge, Salisbury boss) made me a reasonable offer to stay, it was still short of my deal last year.

“It was an opportunity to play in the National League South that I couldn’t turn down. It will probably be my last chance to play at that level."

Bennett helped fire Salisbury to a second-placed finish in the Southern One South & West last term and secure a place in the play-offs.

But he missed games towards the end of the campaign with a hamstring problem picked up in the March 14 win over Winchester City.

Following his return from injury, Bennett managed just one more goal as the Whites missed out on promotion.

Prior to that, his partnership with fellow striker Tommy Wright had been unstoppable with the pair bagging 93 goals between them.

But Claridge must now look for a completely new strike pairing as former Otterbourne marksman Wright has returned to his parent club Sutton United.

Reflecting on his time at Salisbury, Bennett said: “It was probably one of my favourite seasons of football.

“I loved every minute of it and am sad to go.”

Asked about a possible return to the Ray Mac one day, he added: “I really hope the door isn’t closed. I’d love to come back.”

Salisbury boss Claridge confessed: "I’m very disappointed we couldn’t hold on to Justin. He was the highest paid player in the club last season and he would have been again this year.

“But he has had an offer from a club at a higher level and we can’t compete with that.

"We thank him for his fine service last season and wish him well. Who knows, we might see him back at the Ray Mac one day.

“We’ll do our best to replace him and I’m working on it.

"In the meantime, I’m pleased we have a great bedrock of players who did so well last season and I hope will repeat that this year.”

Ten Salisbury players - Nathan Ball, George Colson, Elliot Wheeler, Callum Hart, Tom Whelan, Brandon Mundy, Sam Roberts, Lewis Benson, Kane O’Keefe and Claudio Herbert –have agreed to re-sign for the new campaign.

*Bennett is joined at Oxford City by defender Joe Oastler, who captained Gosport Borough last term.