A HAT-TRICK from David Brown all but put an end to Ponteland United’s stuttering title charge.

The striker’s two quick fire goals after the break for struggling Ashington Colliers knocked the stuffing out of United, as they went down 4-1.

After Ethan Bewley went close for Pont, Colliers nearly took the lead when James Loughborough dispossessed Alex Nisbet and fired a shot from 25 yards on goal only for it to be brilliantly tipped over by Craig Whinham.

The visitors didn’t heed the warning though and Brown gave his side the lead on 20 minutes when he was given time to pick his spot and slam home from outside the area.

While the goal spurred Ashington on, Pont levelled against the turn of play when captain Glenn Ford headed home Reece Havelock-Brown’s corner.

United finished the half on top with Zack Bewley causing problems, and nobody would have predicted what would have happened in the opening five minutes of the second half.

For Ashington found themselves comfortably in the driving seat as Brown showed his attacking instincts, regaining the lead when he diverted home a regulation long ball.

He completed his hat-trick soon after when he nipped in to intercept Ford’s backwards header to his goalkeeper, poking the ball into the net for 3-1.

It was to only get worse for Ponteland as Ashington opened up a three-goal cushion as Craig Webb added his name to the scoresheet.