Striker Sam Mulready grabbed a hat-trick to stake his claim for a regular starting spot as King's Lynn Town cruised into today's second qualifying round draw.

The Lynn-born centre forward showed all of his predatory instincts in front of goal as the Linnets swept aside visiting Boston Town with ease.

Mulready made light work of the Poachers, who ended the game with ten men following the dismissal of Danny Barrett in the second half, with Steve Spriggs, Jackson Ramm, David Bell and Jake Jones also among the goals in a resounding display.

A delighted Mulready said: 'It has been a bit of a stop-start season for me so it was important that I took my chance.

'As a striker you need to be scoring to stay in the team and I always pride myself on my goals.

'I want to playing every league and cup game, but it's down to the gaffer to what he wants and what is best for the team. I feel I deserve a shot, but we'll see what happens and if I'm selected on Tuesday.'

Linnets boss Gary Setchell praised the contribution of Mulready, who was also on target in the thrilling 3-3 draw at Ilkeston a few days earlier.

Setchell said: 'Every time he crosses the white line for Lynn, Sam gives 110 per cent for the cause.

'He had a run of games in the side last season and he probably didn't score as many as he would have liked, but he still gave 110 per cent.

'Sam can play in a number of positions but not up front on his own and he has been unlucky on that count as that's the way we've gone a lot of the time this season.'

The only low point, in an otherwise perfect afternoon for the Linnets, was an injury to defender Ramm, which left the hosts with ten men for the final 20 minutes having used all of their substitutes.

Ramm left the field with a nasty-looking head injury – leaving him a doubt for tomorrow night's home Evo Stik League game against Buxton Town.

King's Lynn Town: Street, Ramm, Ward, Watson, Fryatt, Quigley, Spriggs, Bridges (Stocker 51), Frew (Jones 61), Thomson (Bell 55), Mulready. Sub not used: Yong, Pearson.

Goals: Mulready 28, 47 and 65, Spriggs 24, Ramm 52, Jones 87, Bell 90.

Yellow cards: None.

Boston Town: Zand, Lowe (Eyett 40), N Jackson (Barrett 51), Zeurner (Warren 68), Ashton, Borbely, Lambley, Charlesworth, Beck, Nuttell, Kennedy. Subs not used: Mitchell, Whightwick.

Yellow cards: None; red cards: Danny Barrett 60.

Referee: J. Steel (Ely)

Attendance: 548