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Heys collected another deserved three points following a comprehensive 4-2 victory at Springhead, Lee Smart the inspiration with a top quality hat-trick, writes Scott White.

It took Smart only two minutes to stamp his mark on the game when he exploited a misunderstanding between centre-half and goalkeeper to drive home from an extremely tight angle to give Heys the lead.

It was almost 2-0 minutes later when Barnes dummied a great ball in by John Garrick, and only quick thinking by a home defender stopped Smart from getting in on goal again.

Heys then contrived to squander their advantage on eleven minutes when they gave away a needless penalty, which was converted by Lee Blackshaw.

Prestwich seemed to lose their composure for a spell after this setback, the distribution from defence losing its edge with the emphasis switching from Heys' effective passing game to the long ball.

Heys debutant Jermaine Peters settled down well and as the half progressed, he began to influence the proceedings, putting in a couple of driven efforts from the edge of the box.

Eddie Barnes was enjoying a superb game in midfield, and on twenty minutes, his crossfield pass saw the home 'keeper desperately clear off the toes of Smart.

The combination of Peters and Barnes was beginning to spark Heys back into life, together with some strong running from Karl Kavanagh and Brandon Jolly, as the visitors forced their way back into the driving seat.

Kev Brierley made a great supporting run on 23 minutes as he skinned the full back before delivering a dangerous cross which was bundled behind for a corner.

Peters and Barnes linked up with Marvin Walters as Heys pressed again with some fine passing, but the closest Prestwich came to regaining the lead before the break was when a Barnes pass reached Smart, whose downward header found Garrick, but Cullington in the home goal move swiftly snuffed out the chance.

There was a strong case of deja vu at the start of the second period as Lee Smart scored within two minutes. Garrick collected the ball before delivering a good pass for Smart to turn the defender before drilling a great shot into the far corner.

And once again, Heys composure at the back slipped and only an offside flag prevented Springhead levelling only four minutes later.

After seeing this period out safely, Prestwich were once again on top, Jolly firing a free-kick narrowly over, but Lee Smart's strong and aggressive running was beginning to frighten the home defence as Heys carved out chances.

Garrick was often the link between the Heys midfield and Smart, his intelligent play triggering a series of good scoring opportunities.

Smart was turning the defence inside out, and only some great goalkeeping by Cullington kept him out.

The long kick from Paul Johnston was also feeding Smart, and on 57 minutes, Cullington had to get down smartly to stop a well driven effort.

Smart turned provider two minutes later when he ploughed down the right flank before crossing for Garrick to head at goal, but the chance was saved.

Gary Massey replaced Barnes, who had received a knock early in the half, and Joe Murty shuffled the pack again minutes later when Jeff Kavanagh replaced Jolly.

The changes reaped dividends within minutes with a goal that had everything. From a Heys throw in, the ball was switched from right to left through Karl Kavanagh and John Garrick, where Gary Massey swept forward before delivering a killer cross which Smart, inevitably, hammered home with his head for a well deserved hat-trick.

Springhead though, would not lie down and pressed a largely unemployed Johnston into a couple of excellent saves.

It was then straight down to the other end as Peters tripped the offside trap on 65 minutes to release Smart, and he almost made it four goals but his shot flashed just wide.

The game was back on a knife-edge on 77 minutes when Pete Dowd exploited some sloppy defending before drawing the ball away from Johnston and finishing well.

Once again, despite being well on top, Heys began to feel the pressure, and on 83 minutes it looked like Dowd had levelled the match but the referee did well to see that he had pushed the ball in with his hand and all the Springhead man got for his efforts was a booking.

With the clock ticking down, Adie Moran released Smart with a great ball, but the 'keeper did well to hold his shot, and a minute later Karl Kavanagh set Massey on a run, his final shot being deflected for a corner.

From the dead ball, Garrick swept in a deep cross which was just punched off Jeff Kavanagh's head as the game reached a grand finale.

The fourth goal for Heys came almost on full time when another cross-field move saw Massey drive in from the left flank before curling the ball into the far top corner of the net.

This was a fantastic win for Heys on a ground where they have won only once in the previous twelve visits, Lee Smart enjoying his first senior hat-trick. Heys' only concern is the occasional lack of composure when side's come back at them, but the promise shown, particularly by the Prestwich midfield, in this fine display bodes well for the future.

Heys now entertain Dukinfield Town on Tuesday, kick-off 6.30pm, and Pennington on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm, and will be hoping for maximum points against the bottom two sides.

Heys Line-up : Johnston, Walters, Brierley, Carrington, Moran, Kavanagh (K), Barnes, Peters, Smart, Jolly, Garrick. Subs : Massey, Kavanagh (J)

Heys reserves came something of a cropper against Springhead at Sandgate as they were defeated 5-0. This result masks the fact that in a goal-less first half, Heys were well on top and did everything but score, but the wheels came of after the break as the visitors went on to win.

The reserves face a daunting trip to Wilmslow Albion on Thursday, kick-off 6.30pm, before travelling to Wythenshawe Amateurs on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.