Easy win keeps Halifax in chase for play-offs

Lee Gregory’s hat-trick, along with goals by Ryan Crowther and Paul Marshall, helped Town to their second away win of the season while condemning Hyde to their 19th home league game of the campaign without a win.

Aspin said Hyde’s dreadful form means his side didn’t spring any surprises by winning, but the Town boss was pleased with the manner of the victory.

He said: “I don’t expect the players will get a lot of credit for winning today but I certainly give them a lot of credit.

“I didn’t underestimate them (Hyde) in any way but we wanted to be on the front foot from the start and I felt the players did that. I was happy with the way we set up and it’s a good win for us.”

Gregory’s tally is now 25 goals in 28 games after netting his third hat-trick of the season to leave Town three points off the top five.

Former Hyde winger Crowther got Town off to a superb start with a delightful volley from the edge of the box before Gregory tapped and Paul Marshall curled in a superb effort from 20 yards.

Alex Brown’s consolation goal proved exactly that as Gregory restored Town’s cushion.

Gregory took Marshall’s deft through ball and kept his composure to round goalkeeper Chris Kettings for his second, and then completed his hat-trick when he fired low beyond Kettings from Lois Maynard’s through ball.

Hyde: Kettings, Brizell, Haining, Ashworth, Blakeman, McQuade, Clark, Brown, Lomax (Kiwanda 70), Carlton, Hughes (Kirby 70). Unused substitutes: Thornton, Fitzgerald, Pollard.

Halifax: Glennon, Bolton, Ainge, Roberts, McManus, A Smith (Jackson 59), Marshall, Pearson (C Smith 67), Maynard, Crowther (McReady 78), Gregory. Unused substitutes: Senior, Lowe.

Referee: Wayne Barratt.

Man of the match: Lee Gregory.