FC United 8 Leek CSOB 1

Source: manchesteronline.co.uk

FC UNITED answered a wake-up call from boss Karl Marginson to get their Moore and Co Solicitors League second division title show back on the road with a stunning 8-1 victory in front of a 2,559 Gigg Lane crowd.

Marginson made six changes to the team beaten by Flixton three days earlier and his new line-up responded by chalking up the rebel club's second biggest win of the season over a shell-shocked Leek CSOB.

Assistant-manager Phil Power got the ball rolling when he struck after just four minutes and Rory Patterson quickly added a second - FC United's 100th competitive goal.

Patterson went on to complete his hat-trick and, with Power adding his second plus further goals by Steve Torpey, new boy Dave Swarbrick and Chris Simms, the champions-elect ran riot to open up a surely unassailable 19-point lead.

Said Marginson: "I was looking for a positive reaction to Wednesday's disappointment and I got one."