HARROGATE Town closed the gap on Conference North leaders Droylsden to seven points with two games on hand after a 5-1 thumping of Vauxhall Motors.

Neil Aspin's men, who comfortably boast the division's meanest defence, put mid-table Vauxhall to the sword at the other end with Kirk Jackson hitting a hat-trick and Danny Holland bagging a brace.

Elsewhere, Kettering defeated Droylsden 1-0 in front of new director of football Ron Atkinson to keep the title chase wide open.

Holland opened the scoring for Town at Vauxhall after profiting from a goalkeeping blunder.

Town doubled their lead on 33 minutes, Holland heading across goal for Jackson to stab home.

Lee Furlong reduced the arrears for Vauxhall early in the second half but Jackson converted from eight yards following a Holland cross on 64 minutes.

Holland scored his second from the spot and Jackson headed in to complete his treble.