GOSPORT Borough’s prolific frontline partnership has been broken up.

Ex-Saint Matt Paterson, who scored 24 times alongside top gun Justin Bennett last term, has upped sticks to National League South neighbours Havant & Waterlooville, who were beaten play-off semi-finalists last term.

Borough boss Alex Pike said: “We tried our best to keep Pato and he had a tremendous season with us, but he wanted to move to Westleigh.

“To be honest, I think Matt was probably Havant’s missing player last year. I was surprised they didn’t sign him at the end of 2013/14 when they had him on loan from Aldershot, but they let him go and we picked him up.

“I’m sure with Pato in their squad last season, they would have been right up there with (Conference South champions) Bromley and maybe looking at a season in the top flight this year.

“We’ll be sad to see him go, but he’ll always be welcome back here at Gosport.”

After scoring freely in the AFC Bournemouth youth ranks, Fareham-schooled Paterson joined Southampton as a scholar and went on to make seven starts and 15 substitute appearances for Saints, scoring two goals.

He moved to Southend United in 2010 January transfer window and, after a spell with Burton Albion, returned to Hampshire with Aldershot in the summer of 2013.