A debut hat-trick for Cammell Laird striker Dean Forshaw sent Market Drayton Town crashing to a UniBond League Division One South defeat.

Forshaw netted a fine volley after 24 minutes before drilling home a second in first half injury time and he completed his treble with a third 20 minutes from time.

While Forshaw enjoyed his night, the game won’t live long in the memory of the home fans.

And it wasn’t the way out-going Town boss Andy Pryce would have wanted to end his reign as manager before he hands back to the returning Simon Line in time for Saturday’s trip to Grantham.

After an even start Drayton struggled to cope with their lively opponents.

The home defence was in unusually generous mood with John Corrigan sending an early warning shot wide for Lairds.

When the opening goal came it couldn’t have been any more route one.

From a Town corner Marc Stallard headed straight at visiting keeper Phil Palethorpe who immediately launched an 80 yard kick downfield.

The ball was allowed to bounce twice on the Drayton right before Forshaw fired a well struck volley which beat home keeper Andrew Spooner at his near post.

With the Town defence rocking it took a superb tackle from Gary Anslow to deny Corrigan a second before Chris Adamson saw a rasping 18-yard effort cannon back off the underside of the bar.

The visitors then thought they should have had a spot kick when Paul Bowyer impeded Danny Andrews but the referee waved play on.

It was no surprise to see Lairds double their advantage in the dying moments of the half when Forshaw drove home an angled shot.

The second half offered little to warm the frozen fans with Forshaw’s third the only real chance of note.