After suffering 2 straight defeats against Bromsgrove (1-2 at home) and Crawley (1-2 away) on the previous 2 Saturdays, United bounced back in style to get their title challenge back on track with this midweek trouncing of The Magpies at Buckingham Road. New signing Bob Coy made an impressive debut at right back and never looked like he was there for the ride as Trevor Gould's side demolished the Dorset side to rediscover at least some of their old form.

The Ducks opened their account in the 4th minute when Peter Robinson crossed for Cliff Campbell to head past Town keeper Martyn Jones for his 19th goal of the season.

It was 2-0 in the 10th minute when Gary Harthill sliced his way through a couple of half-hearted tackles before unleashing a fierce shot from outside the box which hit a bobble on the pitch and eluded the helpless Jones.

It was 3-0 in the 29th minute when Robinson laid the ball in for Dave Botterill's touch to direct the ball for Campbell who teed the ball up for Botterill to send a sweet volley past Jones.

It was 4-0 in the 62nd minute when Botterill's free kick found Peter Hutter who rose to flick home his 2nd goal of the season.

The visitors pulled a goal back 3 minutes later when Nick Bridle headed a quickly taken free kick past Ducks keeper Tim Garner to signify the start of Town's best spell of the match.

The final goal came in the 87th minute when Kevin James did well to play himself out of trouble deep on the left and after Robinson, Brendan Phillips and Botterill all had a hand in playing the ball across to the right, Harthill's cross was knocked down by Campbell and Botterill stuck out a foot to divert the ball past Jones.

David Figg