EASTLEIGH loan striker Barry Mason has struck up a cracking partnership with Richard Gregory in the BAT attack.

The pair combined to pull off the week's shock result on Tuesday when the Tobaccomen shot down Wessex title-chasers Gosport Borough 1-0 at Southern Gardens.

Gregory supplied the assist and Mason used his body strength to outmuscle his marker and lift a sweet shot over keeper Colin Matthews.

BAT boss Andy Leader has been impressed with Southampton lad Mason.

"The lad's still learning his trade, but he's got pace to burn, he's strong on the ball and he and Richard are terrorising people," he said. "But it's not just the strikers who are doing well. Westy (Paul West) is on fire, but probably the best of the lot is Matt Czaska who's unplayable at the minute."

Tuesday's result shot the Tobaccomen up to eighth in the league, having lost just once this year.

The test now will be to maintain that consistency at second-to-bottom Downton tomorrow.

Leader said: "We're growing up together as a team but we've got to perform week in, week out. As Mick Marsh (Gosport manager) said in the paper the other day, Downton don't look like a side who are going to get relegated and if we don't fully apply ourselves we'll get beaten.

"They've already beaten us 2-1 at our place in the Russell Cotes Cup and scored two of the best goals I've seen here all season."