Chelmsford City 6-1 Ilkeston Town (Dr Martens League Premier Division)

Chelmsford City hit a magnificent six past hapless Ilkeston Town at the weekend as Paul Parker's men turned in a five-star display for the watching City fans.

It was the best response possible following the Clarets' disappointing FA Cup exit at Harlow on Wednesday night, and also put an end to some poor league form that had seen City take only two points from a possible nine.

With Kevin Dobinson unavailable for the game, fans might have been forgiven for expecting a lack of organisation in the team, and such thoughts became reality on 20 minutes when David Holmes was afforded the time and space to plant a firm drive past Richard Hurst and into the top corner.

In a quiet first period, City looked in danger of repeating their midweek wastefulness in front of goal. That was, until on the stroke of half-time when Ian Cambridge's clever footwork set up Danny Hockton, and the striker finished well.

Spurred on by this, City came out fighting in the second period, and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 54 minutes as Hockton found himself room to manoeuvre around keeper Andy Love and score from a tight angle. A minute later it was 3-1 when Kris Lee's screamer flew past Love and into the net. Well into their stride now, the visitors were fearing the worst, and further damage was inflicted on the hour as John Bishop converted a free header into the net from a left-sided corner. The fifth came with 17 minutes to go, as Cambridge found space to flick a neat header in, with the sixth goal arriving only minutes later as Hockton deservedly completed his hat-trick when through one-on-one with Love.

A stunning victory for City against the side that sat 4th in the table before yesterday's round of matches. Chelmsford climb back up to 9th place and are straight back into action tonight (Monday), when Newport IOW visit New Lodge.

The Islanders are on a poor run of form and Parker and co. will expect no more than the full three points on offer against one of the favourites for relegation.

Elsewhere in the division, leaders Havant & Waterlooville surrendered the last unbeaten record as they went down 2-1 at Hednesford Town.

They had led early on through Jamie O'Rourke, but were pegged back late in the first half by goals from Graham Lancashire and top scorer Neil Davis.

Tamworth maintained 2nd spot with a 5-1 demolition of Newport IOW, while Crawley and Weymouth sit 3rd and 4th respectively having fought out a 0-0 at Broadfield Stadium in front of the day's biggest crowd - 1,100 in West Sussex.

Salisbury remain winless at the bottom after falling to another defeat. King's Lynn were the grateful recipients at the troubled Wiltshire club with a 3-0 success at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.