A CARL HOWARTH hat-trick paved the way for Nelson to hammer local rivals and champions Stand in this NWCL second division fixture.

Fresh from a three-week lay-off, Howarth opened the scoring when he converted a Dave Gray cross.

Stand should have levelled through Thompson but his shot was turned wide by Billy Carrington.

Nelson got their deserved second when Stuart Mulligan's chip beat the offside trap and Lee Coldridge scored with ease.

Coldridge again beat the offside trap for number three and just before the half-time whistle Howarth scored his second.

Howarth completed his hat trick on 47 minutes but the home side got a consolation in comical fashion on the hour when O'Shaunessey's long-range shot deflected off a divot past stranded Carrington.

Nelson restored the five-goal cushion on 73 minutes when substitute Paul Sconce latched on to a poor back pass.

The tireless Gray deservedly got on the score sheet on 85 minutes for Nelson's seventh and Jermaine Peters headed a late consolation for the home side.

STAND ATH...2

NELSON...7