Neil Hards hailed the performance of full-back Shaun Dyke after his fantastic performance inspired Winchester City to a 6-1 thrashing of title rivals Gosport Borough last night.

Lethal strikers Andy Forbes and Ian Mancey shared the goal honours with a hat-trick apeice.

But defender Dyke was outstanding throughout and set up three of the Winchester goals as the home side moved to within five points of leaders Wimborne Town.

And goal-happy City still have three games in hand as they bid for a second successive promotion.

"Shaun was quality today, a real thorn in their side. He created opportunity after opportunity and today he really made the difference," enthused boss Hards.

In a match that was vital for both sides in the title race for the Sydenhams Wessex League, City were awesome from the outset as they destroyed the meanest defence in the division.

Mike Marsh's Boro could not deal with City's slick pass-and-move game and top scorer Forbes fired an early warning as his header was tipped over the bar by keeper Mark Brown.

City continued to create chances and their pressure finally told when Brown tipped Lloyd Webber's header on to the bar and Forbes lashed home the rebound.

City's second goal came on 26 minutes after splendid work from Dyke as he skipped around two men and crossed low to Forbes, who made no mistake from six yards.

The away side struggled to find any rhythm and it was 44 minutes before they posed a real threat on Simon Arthur's goal as Darren Robson hit a stunning strike from 25 yards that flew just over.

City continued to attack Gosport in the second half and Forbes grabbed his hat-trick - and his 43rd league goal of the season - on 48 minutes after woeful defending allowed him to turn and shot in a crowded penalty box.

Dyke showed his class again on 61 minutes when another fine run and cross from the flank enabled Ian Mancey to get his first goal of the evening and effectively end the contest.

With Winchester cruising, Hards took off the outstanding Gary Green, who had dominated the midfield, and put on Stewart Lang as City take their foot off the gas.

In Green's absence, Boro started to get a foot on the ball and Ollie Cherrett was brought down to give the away side a penalty that Lee Cripps coolly converted.

However Boro's goal only spurred City on to greater things as another mazy run from Dyke set up Mancey,, who fired home exquisitely.

Dyke went off to a great ovation from the home fans, but City grabbed a sixth goal as Mancey latched on to a Steve Tate header and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick with two minutes left.

Hards had nothing but praise for his side. "That was our best performance of the season," he remarked.

"We were well up for it and our workrate was first class.

"We know our strengths and we play to them. We're the fittest side in the league and that showed tonight.

"The boys are creating something special and are determined to get promotion."