Luke Mascall scored five second half goals for Cleethorpes Town to help them to a 6-0 win over Ruston Sports, in a match sponsored by Linden Homes and BJB Lift Trucks.

After a goalless first half, Mascall broke the deadlock on the hour mark before central defender Richard Peck added a second for the Owls.

Mascall then scored four goals in the last ten minutes as Ruston, who had all the answers to Cleethorpes’ attacks in the first half, collapsed.

Owls boss Andy Liddle made just one change to the side that beat Nettleham in the final match of last year. Darren Hanslip made his return from injury and took the captains armband.

The first half started slowly, with both teams seemingly suffering from an extended New Year hangover in the opening exchanges.

However Luke Neul looked bright on the right side of midfield and he was the first to make an impact, playing a neat one-two to get in behind the Ruston backline. His shot though was tipped wide by Chris Clifton.

Five minutes later the Owls had the ball in the back of the net, but Peck’s finish was chalked off due to the ball already having edged out for a goal kick.

Ruston’s first chance came after half an hour as Lewis Dean robbed the returning Hanslip, but he could only shoot low and straight at Scott Drury.

With the rigid away side proving hard to break down, Mascall and Neul swapped wings but to no avail – the sides went in to half time goalless.

Captain Hanslip started the second half much more adventurously than he had the first and twice forced Clifton into action with long-range shots.

Alan Lamb almost got the match’s first goal on 56 minutes, but his header from a Daniel Barrett corner, clipped the top of the bar.

That breakthrough finally came on the hour mark. Hanslip crossed from deep and picked out Phil Cawley at the back post. His header across the face of goal found the on-rushing Mascall who couldn’t miss.

Peck doubled the lead eight minutes later, sneaking in front of Clifton to nod home from six yards after Barrett’s inviting corner kick.

With 12 minutes remaining Mascall scored his second, beating the offside trap and racing on to a long ball before keeping his composure to finish confidently and put the result beyond doubt.

His hat-trick goal came two minutes later through another assured finish, before he robbed Ruston’s Clifton and tapped into the back of an empty net for Cleethorpes’ fifth.

Mascall’s personal tally went to five, and 14 for the season, in second half stoppage time. He may not have connected with the shot as well as his other strikes but the ball squirmed under Clifton.

The score may have been harsh on Ruston, who were diligent in their defensive efforts, but Cleethorpes are now 19 points clear of second-placed Skegness United. United though have six games in hand.