Newmarket Town striker Stan Leech scores hat-trick in 4-1 Isthmian League North Division victory over Downham Town

Stan Leech continued his impressive campaign in front of goal to help Newmarket Town return to winning ways on Tuesday evening.

At the weekend, the Jockeys suffered their first defeat of the new Isthmian League North Division season with a 2-0 loss on the road at Felixstowe & Walton United.

However, rather than lick their wounds, the Jockeys responded in positive fashion courtesy of a 4-1 home victory at the expense of Downham Town, which featured a Leech hat-trick.

It took the centre-forward just five minutes to break the deadlock at NYO Stadium when he headed home a corner.

Leech then doubled Newmarket’s lead with another header – this time from Emmanuel Osei’s cross – in the 19th minute.

And he completed his hat-trick eight minutes after the restart to take his tally for the campaign in all competitions to 14, eight of which have been scored in the league to leave him top of the division’s goalscoring charts.

Downham’s Arturs Visocanski pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining, but the final say on proceedings went the way of Newmarket thanks to substitute Josh Lee.

Fourth-placed Newmarket will hit the road on Saturday to lock horns with Gorleston (3pm) before they return to home comforts on Tuesday with the visit of Heybridge Swifts (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, Mildenhall Town have dropped to 15th in the table following their 2-1 defeat at Wroxham on Tuesday evening.

Luke Brown got Mildenhall off to a dream start at Trafford Park when he scored inside the opening 60 seconds.

The visitors remained in front heading into the break, but a second-half brace from Travis Dodsworth secured all three points for the hosting Yachtsmen.

Mildenhall, who have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, will aim to return to winning ways with back-to-back away matches at Stanway Rovers on Saturday (3pm) and Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday (7.45pm).