Bedford Tn (I Draycott 37)

Didcot Tn 5 (M Draycott 1, 60, 67, Williams 18, Bridges 79)

Mark Draycott hit a superb hat-trick as Didcot Town ended their wait for a first Premier Division win in style.

The Railwaymen, in their eighth outing in the top flight, got off to a dream start with a goal in the opening 30 seconds.

Good work from skipper Jamie Heapy gave Liam Hope a chance which was blocked by teammate Mark Draycott.

But it fell invitingly into the Didcot strikers’ his path and he made no mistake from close range.

Michael Bartley almost made it 2-0 with a great shot on the turn, before the visitors doubled their advantage from a corner midway through the first half as Andy Williams flicked his header from 12 yards over on-rushing Bedford keeper Mike Armitt.

Heapy fired another chance narrowly over as Didcot continued to press, but it was Bedford who struck next whenGraham Clark’s cross was headed home by Ian Draycott.

Tony Battersby could have levelled things, but he headed straight at Matt Trott as the home side enjoyed their best spell of the game either side of half-time.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it went to Didcot.

Bedford substitute Joe Power’s first contribution was an under-hit backpass to Armitt, and Draycott showed composure to slip the ball home into an unguarded net.

It got even better for the visitors, and Draycott in particular, as they scored a fourth moments later.

Hope and Bartley had efforts blocked, but Draycott notched his hat-trick with a low shot past Armitt.

The game became rather scrappy in the closing stages, but one moment of class saw Didcot claim a fifth goal.

Substitute Morgan Williams released Stuart Bridges, who finished in style for his first goal in Didcot colours.

Didcot Tn: Trott, Sampson, Jack, A Williams, Stanley, Heapy, Hope (Castello 81), Mortimer-Jones, Bartley, Draycott (Bridges 69), Dutton-Black (M Williams 73).

Attendance: 353.