Rushden & Diamonds striker Michael Gash says he is delighted to have made good his ambition to score more regularly.The 24-year-old hit four against Bath City, including a first-half hat-trick of headers, in their 5-1 Blue Square Bet Premier win.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "When I came here, one of my main aims was to start getting back on the scoresheet.

"To walk out with the match ball, and a great performance from the team, makes you wake up with a big smile."

Gash continued: "I've been here for two months and I've had opportunities - the lads have put balls into the box and I haven't taken them."

The on-loan York City striker is now second in the Diamonds' current list of top scorers for this season, behind captain Aaron O'Connor, who has 10 goals.

"For [Aaron] not to get on the score-sheet is a bit of a shock. He was fantastic. He laid on my fourth, which was unselfish, and he worked so hard."

Traditionally, the scorer of a hat-trick is entitled to take home the match ball.

"One of the youth team lads collecting the balls said he needed all the balls [back] but I said he wasn't having this one, even if I had to pay for it," Gash joked.

Source: BBC Sport