LUKE Sephton was again on fire as his four goals moved Pilkington FC back to the top of Cheshire League Division One with an accomplished 7-2 win over Deva Athletic.

The home side were completely dominant and Sephton opened the scoring after just seven minutes when he rounded the keeper following a Graham Boylan through ball.

Pilks didn’t allow Deva any chance to get into their rhythm and Sephton should have doubled the lead 10 minutes later. He pounced on a misplaced pass but was unable to beat the keeper.

Andy Cook also had a clear-cut chance but he dragged his effort wide with only the keeper to beat.

However, Cook soon redeemed himself, providing an excellent ball for Boylan to finish easily for Pilks’ second goal.

Pilks were in total control and Sephton grabbed his second seven minutes before the interval when he again closed down well to win the ball on the edge of the area. The front man, clearly in top form, dispatched his shot into the bottom corner with supreme confidence.

The hosts may well have been in control but they allowed Deva a glimmer of hope as they started slowly after the break.

Firstly, Rob Cork gave away a penalty that was dispatched by Leyton Ashford and by the midway point of the half Ashford seemed to get Deva back in the game when he grabbed a second goal.

After receiving that wake-up call, Pilks stepped up a few gears again and brushed Deva away in a five-minute spell to put the game to bed.

Cook dispatched a penalty on 70 minutes before Sephton grabbed his hat-trick a minute later.

Deva appeared demoralised at this stage and it was too easy for Pilks to extend their lead further.

David McGrath got in on the act on 74 minutes with a neat finish after Boylan laid the ball back.

Fittingly, Sephton finished the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season after Rory Campbell played him in again.

Attentions now move to Saturday’s derby clash against FC St Helens, kick off 3pm at Ruskin Sports Village.