WING wizard Sean Shields put Ashford Town (Middx) to the sword bagging a first half hat-trick as St Albans City claimed a thumping 6-2 away win in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Shields opened the scoring in the second qualifying round tie on seven minutes only for the hosts to level within 60 seconds as Mark Bitmead volleyed past Saints keeper Nick Jupp.

Jupp was at his superb best not long after as he saved Kofi Lockhart-Adams’ goalbound header.

On 23 minutes Shields slotted his second past Town keeper Paul McCarthy to restore City’s advantage and then he completed his treble just six minutes later.

This time he was lurking at the far post and after Richard Graham’s left wing was not cleared he fired into the back of the net.

He was swiftly hoised into the air by team-mate David Ijaha as they celebrated.

It was 4-1 on 39 minutes as Micah Hyde tucked home a penalty after Chris Seeby’s shot was handled in the area.

After the break Saints’ striker Simon Martin, in for the injured Barry Hayles, netted from close range to grab his first goal of the season.

With 15 minutes to go City hit number six and it was substitute Chris Henry who lobbed in.

Lockhart-Adams did fire home the host’s second as the clocked ticked towards 90 minutes, but the tie was already over.