A JOE Hiscock hat-trick was enough to secure Purton a straightforward 3-0 win away to Milton United.

Hiscock netted twice in the first half to put the visitors in control of the contest as they looked clinical going forward.

Manager Justin Miller knew the importance of the next goal and fortunately for him, it fell to Hiscock again shortly after the restart as he was played into the channel before lifting the ball over the onrushing Milton goalkeeper.

The victory doesn’t affect Purton’s sixth-place standing in the Hellenic League Division One West table, however, having played three games more than those around them, Miller knows it is key to keep the points ticking over.

“It was a good result and we played well, so I’m really pleased,” he said.

“We started off like we did last week – really well – and we had a couple of chances before we took the lead.

“We scored a good first goal and then scored again through Joe, and pretty much controlled the game in the first half.

“Defensively, we were pretty solid and they never created too much up front, and I was pleased to go in 2-0 up.

“They probably had a chance just before the end of the first half and we said that the next goal is vital at the break because 2-0 is not a great scoreline.

“We scored pretty much straight after half-time and once we got the third, we controlled the game.

“We have controlled games before and we have had really good spells where we don’t kill teams off and we have let teams get back in it.

“We needed to make sure we concentrated on the right things and from my perspective, we did that, which was pleasing.

“We had 11 good performances from the lads who started, so it was a good afternoon all-round.”

Meanwhile, Fairford Town dropped points in their quest for the league title as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Clanfield 85’.

The hosts looked on course for the win when Matt Boucher’s 64th-minute strike put them ahead after Josh Morse’s earlier penalty miss but they were unable to hold on as Jack Kennedy earned a share of the spoils for the visitors.