MARK Peters has signed for Gosport Borough on a dual-registration basis.

Francis Vines made the striker available and earlier this week accepted the south coast club's approach for the ex-Southampton man.

Peters, 23, has been unable to establish himself in the Town line-up since rejoining this summer.

He twice walked out during the 2005-2006 season in dispute over the lack of a permanent contract offer and after falling out with ex-boss Ernie Howe.

Vines gave the player a fresh start - but still on non-contract terms.

In eight of the first nine games of the campaign, Peters either started or was a used substitute, scoring twice in the 3-3 draw at Sutton.

But he has not featured or even been part of the Town squad since last month's 3-1 home defeat against Yeading.

Vines was incandescent after that loss and the poor display he got from his centre forward - endorsing the view of his predecessor Howe about the player.

"He wasn't wrong. The talent is there but not the willingness to put in the extra five yards," said Vines that night.

And the writing has been on the wall ever since, with the subsequent arrivals of Cristian Levis and now Gareth Williams to further add to Vines' forward options - contracted Neville Roach and James Taylor, plus Ben Wright and Joe Harris.

So Vines has let Peters (pictured) join the Sydenham's Wessex league premier division side, a move which also frees up cash to help pay for Williams' services.

Vines said: "Mark needs to go and play football. We have a plethora of forwards at the moment who are not scoring goals.

"Their manager Alex Pike approached me and, rather than have Mark sitting around, it's better if he goes and plays for Gosport."

Peters said: "I am obviously disappointed things haven't worked out for me because I started the season with high hopes.

"Going to Gosport will give me the chance to play regular football, gain fitness and score goals so that, hopefully, I can get back into Francis' plans."

Vines feels the lack of a cutting edge has been costing his team this season - Town have scored just 14 times and only five at home - so has taken the course of action he sees fit.

"The main difference between the teams in the Conference South is down to the forwards - people scoring goals - and that's been our problem.

"We need the guys up front to start doing their jobs and scoring more than one goal. It will take the pressure off our defenders then.

"I don't think we'd have conceded half of the silly goals we have done if we'd been scoring more. We'd be giving ourselves a lift by scoring.

"So I'm looking to see my strikers take on more responsibility. I'm sure when they start getting a couple, they'll start scoring more regularly because the ability is there."