FAIRFORD Town manager Gareth Davies has conceded his side weren’t at the races in the first half but turned it on with style as they completed an 8-1 rout away to Woodstock Town.

Levi Cox marked his first Fairford appearance with a hat-trick as the Reds extended their unbeaten league run to nine games.

The new signing’s goals came just a day after his switch from Division One West neighbours Shrivenham.

However, it was the home side who started the brighter and they opened the scoring. A 20th minute effort from Ryan Thorne, his first of the campaign, had the beating of visiting stopper Ben Mitchell as the Reds fell behind.

The lead lasted until shortly before the break, with in-form winger Jason Milhench levelling the game up on 37 minutes.

Milhench then grabbed his second of the game with a neat finish a minute later as the Reds took a firm hold of the encounter.

Josh Morse then hit the net before new recruit Cox was rewarded with a goal on the hour, his neat flick finding the back of the net to make it 4-1.

The hosts’ hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow 22 minutes from time when Kieran Strange was shown a straight red card.

Cox then doubled his tally on 71 minutes before winger Lee Smith got his name on the scoresheet with the sixth Fairford.

Substitute Jack Ellis wasted little time in getting in on the act, stroking home the seventh away goal of the day with almost his first touch before Cox completed his treble on 81 minutes to make it 8-1.

“It’s three more points. I thought we were poor in the first half and it definitely wasn’t our greatest performance,” said Davies.

“I think we underestimated our opponent and it almost bit us in the bum. We had a little discussion at half-time and then it was a different set of players in the second half.

“Levi (Cox) has come in and scored a hat-trick - that is what he is there to do. Three goals isn’t a bad return on your debut.

“We were on top by the time of the red card. It was a challenge that he didn’t need to make and if you’re on a yellow you need to expect the consequences.

“I thought we were good for the win; we will take it, I’m happy with it overall. We weren’t at it in the first half but I can’t complain with eight goals away from home.”

Meanwhile, Purton were 2-1 winners away to Letcombe, Matt Bennett and Jamie Sheppard netting for the visitors to lift them up to fourth in the division.