St Albans City got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 success against fellow play-off chasing Poole Town at Clarence Park.

First half goals from Josh Hill and Louie Theophanous gave City the perfect start and City’s top scorer completed his hat-trick late in the second period.

It was a much needed return to form after losing their unbeaten home record to Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday and puts Saints into third place in the Vanarama National League South.

Despite the half-time score it wasn’t the greatest halves of football, yet it got off to the perfect start.

Matt Ball swung in a left-wing corner and Hill rose highest to power in his first for the club.

That was in the third minute but it took over half an hour for the second to arrive.

Junior Morias fed the ball through and Theophanous slotted it beneath Nick Hutchings, although the Poole keeper may have done better.

Shaun Lucien’s shot looped up and hit the bar and then Hutchings had to claw one of the line under pressure from a combination of Theophanous and Ball.

The rest of the half though was pretty lacklustre with City struggling to keep possession long enough to put Poole under sustained pressure.

City also looked the more likely to score next after the resumption.

Morias’ shot inside 20 seconds was fumbled by Hutchings with Theophanous closing in and then the City striker hit a first-time shot wide from 10 yards.

Ben Herd also got forward well but his low cross was superbly defended by Jamie Whisken.

However, it was no surprise when the hosts made it three.

Lucien pushed the ball beyond the final defender and City’s skipper, in the absence of Lee Chappell, slipped it beyond Hutchings.

And with practically the last kick of the game, Theophanous completed his hat-trick, powering forward from Herd’s pass and firing low at the near post.

City: Russell, Herd, Bender, Ball (Akinyemi 78), Martin, Hill, Lucien, Thomas, Morias (Merson 80), Theophanous, Noble (Casey 60)

Subs (not used): Iwediuno, Hoenes

Goalscorers: Hill 3, Theophanous 35, 77, 90+5

Poole: Hutchings, Lindsey, Spetch, Walker, Whisken, Granger (Wort 62), Burbridge, Devlin, Roberts, Baggie (DaVIS 83), Case (Surridge 49)

Sub (not used): Rees

Goalscorers:

Attendance: 485

Referee: Josh Smith