A devastating first half display ensured Brighouse Town secured another vital three points in their quest for Northern Counties Premier glory with a 5-2 home win over Worksop Parramore.
And to further add to their celebrations at full-time, news reached the Dual Seal Stadium that league leaders Tadcaster Albion were handed a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Glasshoughton Welfare.
Results now leave Town in second place just two points off the top but still with three games in hand over their rivals.
Manager Paul Quinn refused to be drawn on his side’s title winning chances instead wanting to focus on the remaining six fixtures and, in particular, tonight’s game at home to Liversedge.
“We’ve got a long six games to go yet. We can’t be saying we’re anywhere near it yet. There’s a lot of points to play for, a lot of points to pick up and I’m sure there will be twist and turns yet to come but that’s a massive boost for us.
“We look to tonight’s game, a local derby against Liversedge.
“We’re not going to take them lightly. They’ve got local pride to play for. We just need to keep picking up points, no big celebrations, we’re just pleased we picked up three points.”
Quinn’s side followed on from last Tuesday’s demolition of Lincoln Moorlands in similar fashion as they dominated the first half scoring four unanswered goals in the process.
The ever-energetic Ernest Boafo was at the centre of all thing good for Brighouse and it was his pass that played hitman Tom Matthews through to calmly slot home inside two minutes.
Town’s expectant fans were made to wait over 20 minutes for the second, a long time considering what they are now so used to. Boafo again the provider, floating a cross from the left for the unmarked captain Leon Henry to head in.
In-form Daniel Naidole sent a warning sign to Parramore goalkeeper Steve Hernandez when he powered a shot from range that bounced just in front of him before the follow up was halted for offside.
Ten minutes later though, the flag stayed down on this occasion. Naidole’s skimming 30 yard effort spilled again by Hernandez into the path of Matthews who skillfully lifted it over the keeper before firing it in.
Town made it four in first half stoppage time when a Chris Fisher throw in was held up brilliantly by Boafo. Boafo then teed up top scorer Matthews who drilled in accurate strike from the edge of the area to complete a fantastic hat-trick.
Matthews was full of praise for his teammates first half performance and said: “It was exactly as we wanted. We came out, we had a plan to play against their weaknesses and we just played really strong as a team.”
The second period was not so much straightforward despite starting the half in the same manner as the first.
Matthews was again involved as Worksop struggled to deal with his trickery forcing Ryan Johnson to bring him down in the area. Boafo stepped up and emphatically rifled in a deserved goal.
Just as Town fans were expecting another 9-0 rout on the cards, a lapse in concentration during a free kick saw substitute Sam Hewitt bundle the ball into his own net.
Ten minutes from time, more slack defending allowed Lee Whittington, the league’s second top scorer, to produce a great strike from 18 yards into the top corner.
