Five-star Harrogate Town showed what they were made of last night with a 5-1 Conference North demolition of Gainsborough Trinity.

Goals from James Turley, Colin Hunter, Lee Morris and Marc Smith, as well as an own goal by Ben Dixon, answered the demands of manager John Reed in style following Saturday's disappointing 3-2 loss at Moor Green.

A change of personnel in midfield, bringing Dominic Krief into the fold, and the return of Smith from injury both paid dividends in a positive, attacking display.

"It was the best performance I have seen in the four years I have been here," said Reed.

"If they could play like that every week they could win the league.

"I absolutely slaughtered them before the game and told them I would bring new people in if I didn't get the response I wanted - but they responded in the best possible way, with a five-star performance."

On-fire Goole maintained their four goals a game average with a 4-1 defeat of Hallam.

The early leaders of the Northern Counties East League premier division stayed on top with another dominant showing.

Former Harrogate Railway frontman Steve Davey scored in the first and 76th minutes, with Graeme Whitehead and Craig Gorman also netting in the second half. Hallam had equalised in the first half.

Updated: 12:06 Wednesday, August 25, 2004