SALISBURY FC powered up to fourth in the Evo-Stik South West with a thumping 8-0 win at Shortwood United.

Marvin Brooks sent out a message by plundering a hat-trick in the build-up to next Saturday’s big FA Cup second qualifying round clash against his former club Poole Town.

Brooks headed against the crossbar with just seconds gone, but it was Lewis Benson who opened the scoring four minutes in when a cross by Flavio Tavares cannoned off him via a defender.

Sam Roberts took aim from 25 yards to make it 2-0 and Brooks doubled that lead with a clever lob followed by a fine far-post header.

Tom Whelan got in on the act early in the second half with a low strike before Brooks completed his hat-trick with a spectacular bicycle kick from sub Kane O'Keefe's cross.

O’Keefe turned from provider to scorer with a firm header before, in added time, Benson’s cross was turned home by a defender Sam Ockwell under pressure from Stuart Green.