MIKE Brandon bagged four as Middlewich crushed poor Old Altrinchamians.

The Manchester men left Seddon Street outclassed - and out of the cup - as the Witches' hotshot finally found his best form.

Brandon headed home Adam Morris' set piece inside three minutes to put the hosts ahead, repeating the trick at the far post to double their tally.

His hat-trick strike was one to savour.

He flicked the ball over his marker 25 yards from goal before smashing a right-foot volley into the top corner.

Dave Tasker's penalty, after Jonny Edwards had been felled in the box, made it 4-0 at the break.

Steve Warburton pounced on a weak defensive header to race through for number five before Brandon completed the rout by scorching another unstoppable shot past the visitors' keeper.

Terry Murphy's men have now scored 21 goals without reply this month, a run that has taken them seven points clear at the top of the Cheshire League and into the last 16 of the county cup.