Blue Square South Hayes & Yeading United 5  Basingstoke Town 0

FIVE weeks after Hayes & Yeading United's promotion hopes appeared to be going up in smoke after only managing a draw at lowly Basingstoke Town Garry Haylock's side roared back into play-off contention with a stunning 5-0 win against the same opponents.

That 1-1 draw was one of several disappointing results as United banked just six points from 15 in January but it is all but a distant memory now that United demolished Basingstoke at Church Road to record their fourth win in a row.

Leading scorer Josh Scott struck twice and Dale Binns registered his first goal for the club as United climbed above Maidenhead into the fifth and final playoff place to ensure their destiny over the final 10 games is back in their own hands.

With Peter Collins and Steve Perkins deputising for the suspended Tom Cad-more and Gary MacDonald and Danny Allen-Page returning from injury, United's defence was somewhat unfamiliar but after a shaky start their attacking play was ultimately far too good for Basingstoke.

Yet the hosts were decidedly vulnerable early on and had Phil Ruggles not been flagged offside on 16 minutes when he fired past Delroy Preddie the afternoon might have been different.

However, the scare served to galvanise the home side and Allen-Page put Josh Scott in behind the defence but he rolled the ball past the near post before a minute later he made amends.

Again he was sent clear, albeit out wide but he did well to cut inside, leaving Rob Watkins on the ground before stroking the ball past Ross Kitteridge.

Kitteridge denied Scott when Will Hendry put him clear for the third time in quick succession and then again inside a minute, with Esmond James firing over the rebound.

Basingstoke finally conceded again in the 36th minute.

James saw his shot roll across the face of goal but Binns was able to fire it back into the middle and the unfortunate Adam Aimable put the ball into his own net.

A Binns piledriver looked destined for the net but Marwa inadvertently blocked his team-mate's effort and in stoppage time Basingstoke almost pulled a goal back when Allan Tait flicked on Aimable's long throw but Ruggles could only stab the ball into Preddie's arms.

The second half began in similar style as Basingstoke threatened early on through Ruggles, who fired over and Tom Williamson had a long range effort blocked by Binns, before United got into their stride.

Binns powered down the left before cutting the ball back and Marwa, Hendry and Steven Gregory all had pot shots only for defenders to charge down each one, while Gregory headed a corner against the outside of the post.

A fantastic goal then put the game beyond Basingstoke on 65 minutes as Hendry slid the ball through to Binns who held off his marker and unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner.

A clever turn took Scott clear but his nemesis Kitteridge saved again yet a minute later Scott created space and he rounded the keeper to roll home his second and United's fourth.

Basingstoke had a second goal ruled out, this time for handball, and instead substitute Staforde Palmer had the last word, lashing home the fifth goal from the edge of the area.

There was still time for both sides to fashion further chances but nine goals without reply in the last three games would suggest United are coming good at both ends of the pitch, at just the right time.

UNITED: Preddie, Allen-Page (Toby Little 72), Collins, Perkins, Ruby, Marwa, James (Mulley 67), Gregory, Scott (Palmer 77), Hendry, Binns. Subs not used: Lovell, Howe.

Goals, United: Scott 27, 71; Aimable 36 (og); Binns 65; Palmer 83. Basingstoke: None. Attendance: 256. [25a0] Highlights of United's games are available at www.fcvideo.co.uk