WHILE Jamie Laidlaw continues to hesitate over signing a new deal with Gosport Borough, ambitious manager Alex Pike has wasted no time bringing another forward into the frame.

Just days after capturing BAT's James Thornby, Borough have beefed up their quest for Sydenhams Premier domination by signing hotshot Stuart Findlay, pictured right, from Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

"I've been an admirer of Stuart's for a few seasons now," said Gosport boss Alex Pike. "He's always in the top-five Wessex League scorers and last year bagged 22 goals in 40 starts not a bad average.

"Along with James Thornby, Neil Scammell and the youngsters John Wilson and Josh Guise, we have an exciting frontline for next season."

Although Gosport netted a respectable 85 league goals last term, their tally was easily surpassed by third-placed Andover, who top scored with 120.

The down side of Andover's commitment to attack was that they conceded 64 goals 20 more than Borough but Pike reckons more clubs should follow their bold example.

He said: "When I first came to Gosport we played the direct route, but that was because we needed to shore up at the back. But this season I think we've got a duty to the supporters coming through the gate to be more entertaining.

"If you look at Andover, they lost more games than we did, but they finished above us and the reason for that is that they won more games and had the attitude that three points is three points.

"We won't go all-out attack in every game because certain teams won't allow you to play that way, but I want us to be more adaptable.

"In Neil Scammell we've got an Ian Mancey-type forward who is strong in the air and we need someone to feed off him.

"We may use the pace of Thornby or the guile and craft of Findlay or, in some games, we may use all three."

Findlay, 26, had been with Bemerton for three seasons following spells with Winchester City and Fleet Town.

His path at Winchester was blocked by the likes of Mancey and Andy Forbes, but Pike said: "When I spoke to Dave Malone (Winchester's former director of football), he said Stuart was one of the most natural finishers he'd seen in the Wessex League."

Findlay is Pike's ninth summer signing and the former Wimborne Town boss hasn't finished yet.

"There are still others in the pipeline. If good players come on the market, I'm there," he said.