GOSPORT Borough goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore has this evening joined Ebbsfleet United, bringing the curtain down on five impressive years at Privett Park.

He joins an Ebbsfleet side sitting top of the Vanarama National League South under the guidance of former Eastleigh skipper Daryl McMahon.

The fee for the popular 26-year-old stopper has not been disclosed, but Borough boss Alex Pike has described it as “substantial.”

Given Gosport's current financial problems, Pike was at pains to stress that Borough are not “cashing in” on one of the club’s biggest assets.

He said: "I've always said I'm happy for players to use Gosport Borough as a stepping stone to the professional game. That's what Nathan's done and we all know he is good enough to play in the Football League.

"I expect Ebbsfleet to be promoted into the National League and beyond and it’s conceivable that he will be playing with them in the Football League in a year or two.

"They've shown interest in him for a while and he's decided to make the move.

"I know our supporters will see this as us cashing in, but that's simply not the case," he insisted.

"Nathan has always said he would only leave the club to go to a professional full-time club when the opportunity arises, and that time has come."

Ashmore made his final Gosport appearance at Bath City last night, performing brilliantly in a 1-0 VNLS win at Twerton Park.

Despite fourth-placed Borough being under a transer embargo, Pike revealed he can use special dispensation to sign a new 'keeper ahead of Saturday's fixture ... at Ebbsfleet!