FIVE second half goals put Hexham back in contention of promotion to the Premier Division.

With rivals Grainger Park held to a 1-1 draw with Felling Magpies, the 5-0 victory over Hebburn Reyrolle, spearheaded by Kurtis Harvey’s hat-trick, sent them back into the promotion places, albeit having played two games extra.

All the goals came in the second half after a quiet opening period, Harvey and Hamish Forsyth going close for Hexham before Callum Duncan beat goalkeeper David Cooper only for his goalbound effort to be cleared off the line.

Hebburn nearly made Hexham pay when Alex Lovatt hit a good shot on goal two minutes after the break, but it sailed just wide of Tom Craney’s post.

With Nathan Riley impressing as he showed composure beyond his teenage years, Hexham started to control the game and Duncan was again denied as he was fed by Will Forsyth.

It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken, and Harvey produced the opening goal as he powered a bullet header from Matt Wilson’s pinpoint cross past Cooper.

It took until the 69th minute for Hexham to double their lead, Harvey sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after an effort on goal was blocked by a Hebburn hand.

The momentum was all with Hexham and they made it 3-0 three minutes later, Tom Hacking’s shot taking a slight deflection before ending up in the back of the net.

The hosts were lining up to score with defender Gavin Hunter even joining the attack with 15 minutes to go, but Cooper managed to clear before the Hexham man was able to get a touch on the ball.

Harvey’s hat-trick was completed with little over 10 minutes to go, tapping home his side’s fourth as Hebburn were losing all heart.

And the final nail in the coffin came in the 83rd minute courtesy of Wilson, the midfielder ending with a deserved goal as the visitors defenders were left in tatters.

Harvey was again at the treble on Wednesday evening as he helped Hexham move four points clear courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Gosforth Bohemians. They left it late but Harvey and Josh Bynoe secured the points.