MARK Ford’s clinical four-timer helped Blandford United ease to a 6-0 victory over Poole Borough – the Royals’ biggest win of the season.

Ford’s double saw Blandford reach half-time with a 2-0 lead at Park Road before he brought up his first hat-trick of the season for the club in the 62nd minute.

In-form striker Ashley Ayley added a fourth after latching on to a through ball from Ryan Murray with Ford bagging his fourth and Blandford’s fifth midway through the second half.

Murray completed the scoring with a sumptuous curling effort seven minutes from time as the Royals avenged a 2-1 defeat by Boro in August.

Blandford boss Bradley Asagba said: “It was a no-win situation for us. We knew we needed to win and, looking at the league table, most people probably expected us to.

“However, these games can create their own unique problems so we were pleased to win. Despite their league position, I must give credit to Poole for their endeavour and commitment.”

Meanwhile, Parley Sports failed to recover from a slow start and saw their title hopes dented by a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Mere Town.

Goals from Jordan Storrie and Jordan Collins inside the opening 10 minutes stunned the hosts with Collins adding a third after Matt Newbery had reduced the arrears.

Mike Rousell’s double coupled with goals from Soloman Carney and Sam Carney earned Westland Sports a 4-0 home triumph over Cranborne, while Jack Scovell bagged a hat-trick to fire Bridport reserves to a 3-1 victory over Tintinhull.

Goals from Tony Cunningham, Chay Tully and Luke Peaty saw Sherborne Town reserves book a place in the semi-final of the League Cup at the expense of Shaftesbury.

The trio netted during an eventful second half at Raleigh Grove as the hosts ran out 3-2 victors with the Rockies’ goals from Dave Cull and Taylor Godden also coming after half-time.