Marine 1 Nantwich Town 3

NANTWICH bounced back from Saturday’s FA Cup disappointment in the best possible way as a Josh Hancock hat-trick saw them past Marine on Tuesday night.

After Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals Stourbridge denied them a place in the first round proper of the cup, the Dabbers returned to league action and took out their frustrations on their Liverpool-based opponents.

Sean Cooke provided assists for all three of Hancock’s goals as Phil Parkinson’s side remained unbeaten away from home this season.

They broke through midway through the first half when Cooke was felled in the area by Porter. The referee pointed to the spot and Hancock smashed the penalty straight down the middle.

However, the hosts were not behind for long and had a spot-kick of their own when Ben Harrison felled Danny Mitchley, with Kurt Sherlock sending Dabbers stopper Dave Parton the wrong way from 12 yards.

Parton made a fingertip save to deny Sherlock a second goal as Marine finished the half strongly, while Hancock and Cooke both tested Porter as the first period ended all-square.

Nantwich started the second period positively, with Cooke shooting over just after the break, and it was not long before they got themselves back in front.

Cooke curled in a corner which Hancock glanced towards goal at the near post. The ball was hacked away, but the linesman deemed the midfielder’s header had indeed crossed the line.

In fact, Nantwich continued to push for a crucial third goal, which duly arrived when Hancock latched onto a raking pass from Cooke before hitting a first-time lob over the stranded Porter to wrap up an impressive victory.

They are on the road again on Saturday as they travel to Corby Town, kick off 3pm.