Carlton triple downs Red Devils

Striker Danny Carlton scored a superb hat-trick as Morecambe produced an excellent performance to beat Crawley 6-0 on Saturday.

The Shrimps took the lead on nine minutes. Laurence Wilson swung in a cross from the left which Crawley defender Charlie Wassmer missed and Danny Carlton was free at the far post to poke the ball past Michael Kuipers. Crawley hit back with Tyrone Barnett heading David Hunt's cross inches wide of the right hand post before the Shrimps added a second on 22 minutes. Izak Reid delivered a superb free kick from the left and central defender Nick Fenton evaded his marker to head past Kuipers from close range. The Shrimps then went close to adding to their advantage with Reid drilling two efforts off target and Jason Price also going close. Crawley started the second half on the front foot but three goals in nine minutes killed the game off. Carlton made it 3-1 on 61 minutes from Jason Price's pinpoint cross and Kevin Ellison made it 4-0 with a close range finish after Gary McDonald's header had hit the crossbar. Carlton clinched his hat-trick on 70 minutes when Reid produced another excellent cross and the striker had time to pick his spot to beat Kuipers for a fifth time. Laurence Wilson then joined in the party with a sixth goal from the penalty spot after Gary McDonald was brought down in the area.