Alifie Potter hit a hat-trick as Oxford United Res marched on at the top of the totesport.com Combination East Division by smashing Stevenage Res 6-1 at the Lamex Stadium on Wednesday night.

Potter latched on to a Jack Midson through ball to open the scoring after 20 minutes.

United, who included triallist defender Mitchell Hanson, whose contract with Derby County was cancelled by mutual consent last month, maintained their advantage at the break.

But the introduction of Simon Heslop for Asa Hall at the interval reaped instant dividends as Oxford blew Stevenage away with three goals in the first ten minutes of the second half.

Potter grabbed his second with a fine solo effort, before Midson swiftly closed down the Stevenage keeper to force an error and earn himself a simple tap-in.

A superb passing move was then finished off by Potter for his hat-trick.

Stevenage pulled one back with a penalty.

But Heslop restored United’s four-goal cushion with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

In the dying minutes, substitute Connor McDonagh headed home a Heslop corner to complete the rout.

Oxford Utd Res: Eastwood, Batt (McDonagh 65), Gaughan, Sangare, Kinniburgh, Hanson, Hall (Heslop HT), West, Woodley, Midson, Potter (Marsh 70).

RICHIE Baker, who was released by Oxford United earlier this season, has joined Blue Square Bet Premier club Barrow.

The 23-year-old midfielder’s last appearance for United was in the 5-0 defeat by Bradford at the Coral Window Stadium at the end of October.

HARRY Worley was voted man-of-the-match in Oxford United’s 0-0 draw at Stevenage on Tuesday by readers of oxfordmail.com.

The defender got 35 per cent of the votes, followed by Jake Wright (31%) and Ben Purkiss (24%).