A second half hat-trick by striker Darron Simons at Somerset last night moved Dandy Town up to second place in the First Division table.

Simons scored three times in the space of 20 minutes to open up a three goal margin of victory which was tough on battling Cougars but enough to move Town ahead of North Village on goal difference.

Reggie Tucker opened the scoring for Town four minutes before half-time with a goal created by McLee Smith who whipped in a hard cross despite close marking by Kenneth Swan. Cougars' keeper Ricardo Brangman was beaten to the ball by Tucker who bundled it into the net at the second attempt.

Up until the goal, Cougars had looked the livelier side and almost scored in the 14th minute when veteran striker Oscar Samuels found space in the penalty area but shot straight at Town keeper Jason Smith.

A hopeful 40 yard punt by George Dyer forced Smith into action again, an awkward bounce requiring the keeper to tip the ball over the bar.

Town came back strongly and Simons went close with an angled drive just beyond the far post.

Big midfielder Wali Salaam was at the heart of all Cougars best moves and was unlucky when his deflected 25 yard free kick landed on the roof of the net in the first minute of the second half.

Town doubled their lead on 65 minutes when Simons ran onto Lionel Furbert's sliderule pass and lashed home a dipping first-time shot.

Cougars needed a rapid reply and Salaam provided it five minutes later, smashing in the rebound after Jason Smith had saved from substitute Mark Smith.

Town then had to withstand a fierce spell of Cougars pressure before making the game safe with a breakaway goal in the 83rd minute when McLee Smith crossed perfectly for Simons to head home at the far post.

Simons completed his hat-trick two minutes later with a left-foot shot from close range after his initial effort had been blocked.

Following Cougars' troubles on Sunday when they had three players dismissed, last night's encounter went off smoothly with referee Lyndon Raynor having to issue just one yellow card all match.

Cougars were missing Wendell and Ryan Swan and Galvin Butterfield, all of whom received the red card against Vasco on Sunday.