Hinckley AFC broke a club record by notching up their tenth win in a row with a 5-0 victory at Ingles.
As was the case on Saturday at Holwell, AFC did the damage in the first half. Ryan Harkin hit a clinical hat-trick inside 40 minutes with Charlie Evans also on the scoresheet.
Evans then added his second late on as Hinckley maintained their six-point lead at the top.
Manager Courtney Belford handed a Hinckley debut to Harry Sawyer while fellow new boy Liam Cairns would do the same from the bench.
On a boggy pitch at The Dovecote, chances looked likely to be at a premium but Hinckley were clinical in front of goal before half time.
Less than 90 seconds had passed when Jack Edwards went through on goal and was brought down by Josh Rock’s clumsy challenge. Harkin stuck the resulting penalty into the top corner to set his side on their way.
Ingles were busy for the opening half hour and went close to an equaliser from a wide free kick that was headed narrowly wide.
But once the second goal came on 28 minutes, Hinckley never looked back. Evans, who had only just been denied by ‘keeper Ed Hewitson’s legs, cut inside and bent a beauty into the top corner to score for the seventh game in a row.
The rest of the half belonged to Harkin, as two in three minutes earned him the matchball. First, a fine solo effort as he twisted past two players before burying, and then a cool finish when through on goal for Hinckley’s fourth.
He also had another effort blocked by Hewitson before the break as Hinckley took a 4-0 lead into the break for the second game running.
Ingles’ best chance came immediately after half time when Kyle Fowkes shot tamely at Matt Hill when clean through, while Will Rooke also forced Hill into action with a shot on the turn.
But Hinckley could, and probably should, have added more at the other end. Tyson Knight’s header was ruled out for offside, Sawyer rolled one inches wide of what would have been a debut goal and Evans twice struck wide when well placed in the box.
But Evans did get second with five minutes to go when, after Dom Alleyne was brought down in the box, he sent Hewitson the wrong way from 12 yards.
All in all, it was a job well done for Hinckley as they extended their run into record-breaking territory.
Ingles: Ed Hewitson, Adam Brind, Josh Warren, Joe Wardle (Harry Smith 62), Billy Snaith (Billy Tebbatt 62), Aboo Younis, Will Rooke, Kyle Fowkes, Laithan Hammond (Ryan Hardy 69), Dillon Rawson, Josh Rock. Sub not used: Luke Savage
Hinckley: Matt Hill, Ben Whitehead, Mikkel Hirst, Tyson Knight (Nick Brandish 77), Luke Wilson, Ben Vallance, Harry Sawyer, Tom Weale (Liam Cairns 58), Ryan Harkin (Dom Alleyne 69), Jack Edwards, Charlie Evans. Subs not used: Lewis Rankin, Jeremie Agholor
Goals: Ryan Harkin (2 pen, 34, 37), Charlie Evans (28, 85 pen)
Attendance: 170
