A hat-trick from Marc Cooper was enough for Cleethorpes Town to record their third win of the season yesterday against Clipstone. The Owls raced into a 2-0 lead but were pegged back through a penalty just before the break but Cooper extended the Owls lead with five minutes to go. Clipstone did pull a goal back deep into injury time but it was not enough as the Owls collected all three points.

Marcus Newell kept with the same starting line-up as from the Owls 2-1 defeat last weekend to Garforth Town.

It was the hosts who started the brightest in the sunshine as keeper Miles Fenty had to think quickly to deny Allec Denton from just outside the box as he looked to open the scoring.

The Owls pushed forward to try and respond to the early pressure and nearly got the break through in the sixth minute but Brody Robertson was pulled back for offside as he sprinted clear with just the keeper to beat.

Just three minutes later the Owls should have taken the lead through Cooper but keeper Steve Hernandez managed to keep out a riffled shot from 20 yards.

With pressure increasing and the visitors pushing forward, Hernandez was once again called into action, this time to deny former Grimsby Town winger Caine Winfarrah who headed straight at the keeper from close range from a Luke Mascall cross.

The visiting fans did not have to wait much longer though for the first goal of the afternoon. Cooper managed to rise above his marker Liam Royles to nod home a Peter Winn corner from the left.

Cooper increased the Owls grip on the game in the 41st minute as once again he headed goalbound, this time from a Mascall cross following a swift move down the right from the Owls.

The referee was just about to blow for half time when Jahmal Smith got the wrong side of Tim Lowe and was upended inside the box leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty. It was neatly dispatched by Allec Denton sending Fenty the wrong way with the last kick of the half.

With no changes at the break it was the hosts who started the brighter looking for an equaliser. Fenty was on hand to deny Sam Finlan who inadvertently deflected Finlans shot from just outside the box which looked like it was heading into the back of the net and it would have had it not been for a fine reaction save.

Moments later, the Owls really should have stretched their advantage but Robertson just could not turn the ball home as he curled he shot beyond the onrushing Hernandez but saw the ball come crashing back off the post.

Both teams made like for like changes looking to strengthen their sides but found resolute defenders at both ends. Cooper was denied with a fine block at one end hen Denton saw his long range shot narrowly miss the left hand side upright.

With time ticking down and both teams becoming frustrated the Owls had the best chance with just 13 minutes left as Robertson broke free but once again the goal frame came to the rescue of Clipstone as his curling shot rebounded back off the cross bar much to his angst.

However, just seven minutes later all was forgiven as Cooper all but sealed the game as his completed his hat-trick in fine style after the Owls broke forward and he coolly side footed the ball past Hernandez sending the travelling army into raptures.

Deep into injury time Clipstone managed to pull a goal back through Brad Jones who terrifically volleyed home a long Royles cross but it was too late for the Cobras who could not fashion another chance in the remaining 60 seconds.

This win sends the Owls to 16th in the standings with plenty of games in hand over most of the other sides.