Ex-Southampton and Southend United striker joins Bognor Regis Town

Former Southampton striker Patterson, 33, trained with his new team-mates on Tuesday before putting pen to paper on a deal at the Nye Camp.

But the ex-Havant, Southend United and Oxford City front man won't be involved in Bognor's trip to Weston-super-Mare in the FA trophy on Saturday because he is cup-tied.

Blake is delighted to have captured the services of the former Scotland U19 marksman, released this week by Boro gaffer Shaun Gale.

How did we lose that? Picture gallery from Billericay v Rocks.

He said: "We're really pleased to have Matt with us and look forward to working with him. Goals are the biggest commodity in football and having Matt with us enhances our chances of scoring more so it's an easy decision to bring him to the club once we knew his time at Gosport had ended."

Rocks go in to the clash at the Southern Premier South outfit on the back of a cruel 3-2 reverse at Billericay Town in the Isthmian premier division. A late penalty gave the hosts a 3-2 win when it looked as if the visitors would grab the win having led 2-0 -- thanks to goals from Craig Robson and Tom Chalaye -- with just 13 minutes to go.

Although Blake was disappointed at the manner of the loss, he was able to take the positives from the game as he sets his sights on the clash with the Seagulls.

He added: "We played some good, passing football for an hour or so at Billericay and it was pleasing to see. But, again, we lacked the mental strength to see the game out. We must cut out the basic errors and we hope that our young squad can see that is what is hampering our progress at times. We definitely deserved something from the game but that’s football.

"The game at Weston-super-Mare gives us the chance to regroup and go again. They are strong this season and sit in second spot in the table so we know it'll be a test. But I've told the players we are in this game to rise to challenges and that is what we must do on Saturday."

Blake will be able to call upon Craig Robson despite the influential defender suffering a head injury that required a change of shirt four times at Billericay because of the blood seeping through bandages from his wound.

Also available again is experienced utility man James Crane after a one game suspension for a red card in the win at home to Herne Bay two weeks ago. Young full-back Joe Rabbetts is back in training while Calvin Davies is awaiting news from a scan on a knee injury but both look set to miss out this week.