Exhibit 23.2









                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

         We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the  registration  statement on Form S-8 (Citizens South Bank
1999 Stock Option Plan) of Citizens South Banking  Corporation  (formerly Gaston
Federal  Bancorp,  Inc.) of our report dated  January 30, 2002,  relating to the
consolidated  financial  statements of Citizens  South Banking  Corporation  and
subsidiaries  as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and for the years ended December
31, 2001 and  September  30, 2000 and the three month period ended  December 31,
2000, which report appears in the December 31, 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
of Gaston Federal Bancorp, Inc.



/s/ Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.


Gastonia, North Carolina
October 22, 2002