Dandy Town took a giant step towards retaining their Dudley Eve title when they swept aside hapless Boulevard with their biggest win of the season.

This was the fourth meeting between the teams this season. And while the first two -- a 1-1 draw in the league and a 2-1 win for Town in the Martonmere Cup in October -- might have been close, Town looked deserved winners this time.

They built a comfortable 3-0 at the half and coasted in the second before Boulevard replied with a late goal.

Now Boulevard will have four days to regroup and pick up the pieces if they are to stay in this double elimination competition.

Even without the injured Carlos Smith up front and experienced defender Wayne Campbell, who was on the bench, Town looked too strong for their opponents who were also missing some key players.

And despite the presence of Wayne Richardson and Leroy Stevens at the heart of their defence, Town took just nine minutes to break the deadlock -- through a player who has made a quick return to the game following a serious cycle accident just recently.

A cross went in from the left and the ball was knocked back at the far post for Kris Martin who calmly chipped his shot into the roof of the net to celebrate his return in style.

A heavy downpour sent the crowd scampering for shelter but Boulevard had much more to deal with, Town kept pressing them back on their heels.

In the 21st minute the second goal came. Martin, busy in midfield, crossed from the left and Darron (Duke) Simons seized a poor clearance to casually stroke the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Boulevard came charging back and had their best spell of the match between that goal and Town's third in the 33rd minute. Twice in quick succession low shot went just wide and then Ross Lambe shot straight at the 'keeper Anthony Manders after controlling a pass.

The goal that virtually put paid to any hopes of a Boulevard fightback came as a result of a bad back pass from Garon Smith which 'keeper Mitchell Steede tried to control instead of clearing first time.

Quickly Simons closed in and when the ball broke free Ascento Russell was quick on the spot to drive the ball into the goal.

Boulevard's problems continued in the second half with Wayne Richardson (56th minute) and Garon Smith (67th) limping off with injuries to be replaced by Stevie Wade and Michael Sabeeney.

However, before he departed Smith conceded a 54th minute penalty when he fouled Simons. Walter Musson made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The match closed out with two goals in the last eight minutes, first when Simons made it 5-0 with his second goal of the game in the 82nd minute after following up when a ball bounced awkwardly on the wet surface and came back off Steede's body.

It was his 12th goal of the season which makes him the leading scorer in the First Division -- just in time for Christmas.

Stevie Wade pulled one back for Boulevard three minutes later after ball through the middle of the Town defence set him up.

Boulevard: M.Steede; D.Boyles, W.Richardson (S.Wade 56min), L.Stevens, A.Steede; Ga.Smith (M.Sabeeney 67min), M.Trott, V.Eve, V.Tuzo, R.Lambe, D.Warren.

Dandy Town: A.Manders; L.Christopher, D.Sharrieff, G.Wilson, W.Rudo; L.Furbert (P.Sampson 76min), K.Martin, P.Douglas, W.Musson, D.Simons (R.Parsons 87min), A.Russell.

Referee: Rex Osborne.

Men of match: Dwight Warren (Boulevard), Darron Simons (Dandy Town).