BIDDESTONE had no answer to Simon Gilbert's attacking flair as they crashed to a comprehensive defeat on Wednesday night.

The Larkhall forward scored a hat-trick and tied the visiting defence in knots with his pace and skill. It was no surprise that two of his goals came from penalties after he had twice been scythed down in the box.

Biddestone manager Gary Skidmore said: "I thought Larkhall played excellently. Their number 11 Gilbert was very effective and we should've played a zonal marking system to keep him quiet.

"I think that was as comprehensive a defeat as we've had this season. We've played all the top sides and I didn't think they were any better than Larkhall. We can't give away two penalties like that. The first was crucial when they went 2-0 up."

Dave Cooper and Shaun Richards could have put Larkhall ahead even before Gilbert struck on eight minutes.

Richards drove down the right and Gilbert swept home his precise cross from eight yards as Biddestone's defence were caught on the hop. On 25 minutes Gilbert jinked past Andy Wileman who took him out with a kamikaze sliding challenge. Gilbert picked himself up to score the penalty, which went in off the post.

Larkhall's third goal on the hour had a touch of farce about it. Gilbert swapped passes with Richards, rounded Snoddy and crossed for Shaun Kitson to fire home, but the linesman had surprisingly flagged for offside. Biddestone were given the free kick, but after lengthy discussions between referee and his assistant the goal was awarded.

Matthew Cains, on for the injured Wileman, repeated his team mate's trick of bringing Gilbert down in the box and the striker completed his treble from the spot.