PHIL Simkin hailed hat-trick hero Nick Crittenden after the Magpies’ first league win of the season came in an emphatic 5-1 trouncing of Burnham.

Winger Crittenden, pictured, sealed his three-goal display on the hour mark at the Gore, much to the pleasure of Simkin, who was also ecstatic with how his side performed on what was a scruffy playing surface.

Commenting on Crittenden, Simkin told Echosport: “He’s just incredible, not only at 35, to do that is fantastic.

“When you consider what he has done in the game he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and I cannot say enough good things about him.”

On the performance, the Magpies’ chief added: “I am delighted, not just with the result but the way we played as well, we moved it around very well on what was a very difficult surface.

“They caused us a lot of problems going forward too so it must have been a great game for the neutral to watch.

“When you go away from home twice you will always settle for two draws but you are better off winning one and losing one, which is what we have done.”