DYLAN Parker scored a second-half hat-trick as Pershore Town came from a goal down at half-time to dismantle bottom-of-the-league Wantage Town in a thumping 8-1 victory in the Hellenic League Premier on Tuesday night. 

Cameron Sanchez had given the visitors a shock lead five minutes before the interval when he lobbed Pershore keeper Eddie Cox from 40 yards, but the hosts produced a devastating 45-minute performance to romp to a much-needed three points.

Dylan Parker fired The Plums level within four minutes of the restart before another recent new signing, Matt Reed, gave them the lead on the hour mark.

It was then a demolition job from the hosts, as they scored a further six in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Parker scored twice in as many minutes to complete his hat-trick and Jamie Clarke scored with one of his first touches after being introduced off the bench to make it 5-1.

Josh Willis and Scott Hammond helped themselves to one each in the closing stages before Clarke scored a second to complete the rout with an eighth.

The victory puts Lewis Marstons' side back into the Hellenic League play-off places in fifth and was a third win in four in all competitions to mark an upturn in fortunes after falling down to ninth following a run of games without a win through October and November.

Pershore are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they make the trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Royal Wootton Bassett Town (3PM KO).