TOP-SCORER Mark Peters has quit the club to try to earn a full-time deal at Eastleigh after telling Ernie Howe he was unwilling to remain on non-contract terms and didn't deserve to be on the bench at Basingstoke Town.

The 22-year-old, unhappy with his substitute role of late, had lengthy discussions with the Town manager and assistant boss Pete Peters during the whole of last Thursday night's training session.

At the heart of their talks was the eight-goal striker and father-of-two's belief he should be given a contract, for he is not employed in secular work and hoped his displays and goal tally, particularly in the FA Cup third qualifying round versus Worthing when he grabbed a late brace to earn £7,500 for Town in the 4-2 win, would yield reward.

However, the management duo felt, and told, the ex-Southampton Academy player that his overall displays had not done enough to earn a permanent contract.

Howe said: "When we originally brought Mark to the club in the summer, we told him we'd review the situation and possibly renegotiate after three months, which would have been this week.

"But we spoke twice last week about things and last Thursday we spoke for 75 minutes out on the pitch - we didn't even get to take training!

"I told Mark I wasn't going to be giving him a contract at this stage. He felt he deserved one. We didn't."

Howe went on to say he had learned that Peters, who lives in South Ham, had been ringing various clubs over recent weeks to try to engineer a move away from the Camrose.

He said: "It was a running joke in the dressing room among the lads and I don't think having a player who is ringing other clubs is good for team morale or spirit.

"I have 15 other lads to think about. If a player isn't happy and thinks he can do better some place else then they should go. It's in everyone's best interests.

"Even so, I asked Mark to think about the decision he was making but said if he wanted to leave and get better terms of employment elsewhere, that's what he should do.

"That's the decision he has made, so good luck to him. I would like to thank him for his goals and his contributions."

First published: Thursday, November 3. 2005