Nantwich Town bounced back from their FA Cup disappointment when they saw off Marine on a wet and windy night on Merseyside.
A Josh Hancock hat-trick – from a trio of Sean Cooke assists – was extended their unbeaten league run to seven games.
It also preserved their unbeaten start away from home and ended Marine’s unbeaten home league record.
The Dabbers went ahead from the spot after 20 minutes when Cooke was fouled and Hancock (pictured) buried the penalty.
Marine levelled with their own penalty from Kurt Sherlock after 29 minutes and that’s how the score stayed for the rest of the first half.
The Dabbers took over in the second half, with two further strikes from Josh Hancock and they held on to record their fifth league win of the season.
The game kicked off in swirling wind and rain and it was a quiet start in the opening exchanges.
The Dabbers should have been ahead on 18 minutes when a great cross from Ryan Brooke was headed straight at the keeper by Dave Walker from six yards out.
Shortly after, the Dabbers had the breakthrough when neat footwork by Cooke saw him leave several Marine players in his wake and advanced on goal.
Marine keeper Dean Porter came out and Cooke rounded the keeper. The goalie clipped him and the referee pointed to the spot.
Hancock smashed the penalty down the middle, making it three penalties from three.
Marine then hit back with a penalty out of the blue.
A long ball over the top sent Mitchley away.
Ben Harrison managed to force him away from goal, but as he tried to win the ball, he felled the striker and the referee again pointed to the spot.
Sherlock sent Parton the wrong way to bring the scores level after 30 minutes.
Marine had their tails up, with Warren Bellew shooting just wide before Parton had to make a fingertip save to deny Sherlock a second.
After the break, Cooke tested Porter shooting just over, and the Dabbers were on top.
Less than 10 minutes in, Nantwich deservedly took the lead.
A corner was clipped into the near post by Cooke and Hancock got ahead of the keeper and headed towards goal.
The ball was hacked away, but the linesman ruled it had crossed the line.
Marine hit back and forced corners and free kicks which the Dabbers had to defend.
Parton denied Sherlock, tipping over a fizzing free kick. Nantwich absorbed the pressure, restricting Marine to few clear sights of goal.
With around 20 minutes to go, the Dabbers extended their lead with a beautifully taken goal.
Cooke picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and spotted the run of Hancock into the box.
He lifted the ball perfectly and Hancock cleverly lobbed the stranded Porter and into the net.
The Dabbers kept pushing for another, with Ibou Touray forcing a save out of Porter with a shot from distance.
Ryan Brooke made a smart turn and shot just over.
Marine struggled to create any chances of note despite pressure, with a routine Parton save from Obi Anoruo the only noteworthy attempt.
The victory sees Nantwich climb to 12th in Evo-Stik Premier League with games in hand over many teams.
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