RICKY Johnson bagged a hat-trick as Banbury United cruised to a 4-0 win at AFC Totton.

The Puritans climbed to eighth in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League as a result.

They were in front after just seven minutes, when Johnson latched onto Darius Browne’s pass to slot home.

And they made it 2-0 on 18 minutes, when Howards beat Steve Mowthorpe from ten yards.

Johnson then headed Zac McEachran’s free-kick against the bar as the scoreline remained unchanged before the break.

The visitors effectively put the game to bed on 52 minutes, when Johnson powerfully headed Howards’s cross into the top corner.

Browne then hit the bar, while Louis Joyce went close.

Johnson completed his hat-trick with three minutes left, rising highest to nod home McEachran’s corner.

It rounded off a good few days for Johnson and United, after they became the first team to take points off North Leigh at Eynsham Park by claiming a 1-1 draw.

Kieran Sanders put the hosts ahead nine minutes before the break with an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.

But Banbury were much improved in the second half and it merited a point.

The equaliser arrived 16 minutes from time, when Johnson was in the right place to score from close range at a corner.