LEE Clarke scored a hat trick as St Albans City defeated Basingstoke Town to move within six points of Weymouth at the top of the Conference South on Saturday. Striker Clarke took his tally to 18 goals for the season as City proved too strong for Town. Th

LEE Clarke scored a hat trick as St Albans City defeated Basingstoke Town to move within six points of Weymouth at the top of the Conference South on Saturday.

Striker Clarke took his tally to 18 goals for the season as City proved too strong for Town. The first goal came in the fourth minute when Clarke lashed the ball home, and he tapped in his second soon after.

In the second half Clarke had chances to net again before he finally did so, and Matt Hann missed an open goal as Saints threatened a cricket score. Town struck a goal back in the 89th minute but with promotion rivals Weymouth and Havant falling to defeat City are now in a position to move within three points of automatic promotion if they win their game in hand.

London Colney were also in winning form as they defeated Oxhey Jets 2-0 at Cotlandswick. Strike duo Steve Flain and David Parkinson each scored to secure a crucial three points for manager Nigel Tester.