Shrewsbury Town moved in to one of the League Two automatic promotion spots after a first-half hat-trick from Lionel Ainsworth saw them dismantle Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on Tuesday night.
The Shrews took an early lead through Jon Taylor but when Ashley Grimes to equalise within a minute no one would have predicted the eventual 5–1 scoreline.
However, Julian Kelly deflected into his own net to put Town back in front, before Ainsworth’s hit a 19-minute treble.
He got his first with a low shot after Gavin Hoyte’s error, shot home from 12 yards for his second before completing his hat-trick with a wonderful solo goal.
Ainsworth who came through the ASE programme at Derby County, more than doubled his goal tally for the season and in the process allowed Town to record their highest away win for 10 years.
They had not hit more than five goals in a game away from home since the 7-1 win at Rochdale in February 2001.
