MARVEL MADDEN STRIKES AGAIN!

HAT-TRICK hero Paddy Madden scored his second treble of the season against hapless Sutton as Stockport pressed on in the hunt for promotion.

- Robert Pack

Hatters boss Dave Challinor hailed the veteran striker after his side remained top of League Two thanks to the Irishman’s first-half goal rout.

For Madden, who bagged a treble in the 8-0 demolition in the reverse fixture, this was his third hat-trick of the season – taking his tally to 18 this term.

And Challinor said: “It’s the time of the year where you need experienced players to step up. He’s certainly done that in the last few weeks.

“To come here and get us three goals to win us the game is fantastic. They are three different goals. First one was a poacher’s goal, you’d love to get 20 of them a season. The second goal is a good goal on a difficult pitch and the third goal’s a fantastic finish.

“Hopefully he’s still got some left in him. He’s taken us closer, almost touching distance, but we aren’t quite there yet and we keep on working.”

The high-flying Hatters are four points clear at the summit and Challinor added: “It was a very professional performance away from home.