John Mills struck his sixth hat-trick of the season as Didcot Town came from behind to win 3-1 against Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West strugglers Wantage Town at Alfredian Park on Saturday.

Mills fired home two penalties in his treble which took his overall goal tally this season to 43 – with 30 of them coming in the league.

After a long winless run, this was the Railwaymen's second successive league victory and puts them within six points of a play-off place.

This result will have increased Wantage's concern at the other end of the table, even though for more than half of the game, they at least matched their derby rivals.

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In truth in was a poor game with Didcot unable to play fluently due to the uneven pitch.

The first half was a very scrappy affair, with a number of fouls stopping the flow of the game.

The hosts had the better of the play and forced Didcot keeper Kieran Beesley into a number of fine saves, including one from Mark Janes.

Daniel Barry's Wantage continued to pressure Didcot and thought they had scored when Stuart Cattell tapped home following a good save from Beesley from Ben Whitehead's free-kick, but it was ruled out for offside.

The hosts did take the lead in the 39th minute when former Didcot player Whitehead curled a shot into the top corner.

Didcot made a double substitution at half-time, introducing Jack Powell and former Wantage striker Jimmy Deabill.

The changes made an instant impact and after Pablo Haysham was fouled in the box, Mills equalised with his first penalty in the 54th minute.

The goal gave the visitors a boost. Midway through the half, Mills fired home his second after a Sam Elkins free-kick was headed across goal by Adam Learoyd.

The turnaround was completed three minutes from time when Haysham was again fouled in the box and Mills completed his hat-trick from the spot.

Wantage Tn: Tucker, Carbon, Hulbert-Thomas (Jones 72), Cattell, Warne, Whiting (Bayliss 72), Janes, Glover, Whitehead, Thorne, Reid. Subs not used Shaw, Barder, Roberts.

Didcot Tn: Beesley, Elkins, Organ (Powell HT), Ballard, Carnell, Learoyd, Baines (Deabill HT), Self, Mills, Haysham, Woodley. Sub not used: Heapy.

Attendance: 144.