by Jamie Spoor

Dan Mason celebrated 100 first-team goals for Sholing with a spectacular hat-trick.

He reached the landmark by turning and thumping the opener into the top corner in the second minute, after Mick Hubbard played a free-kick into his feet.

On the hour, he produced a strike of breathtaking brilliance.

Byron Mason flicked the ball into the path of substitute Kevin Brewster and he, in turn, picked out Sholing’s top scorer.

He controlled the ball on his chest, pulled the ball down, spun his marker and rifled high into the net from18 yards.

Cowes pulled one back, but the hat-trick was complete on 70 minutes.

A deep corner was headed back and, with his back to goal, Mason hooked it in from six yards. He said: “My target was to better my record from last season and I’ve done that - I’m on 41 now.”

Mason has scored the goals in his last 154 games.

Manager Dave Diaper said: “Dan is simply brilliant for us and the second goal epitomised everything he’s about. He’s quality and we’re lucky to have him.”

After back-to-back defeats, Diaper was relieved to have three points. “My golden rule is not to lose three in a row,” he continued.

“We sat back at 2-1 and made it hard for ourselves, but I’m pleased to get back to winning ways.

“We’ve got seven league games left to consolidate fourth position and have a cup final and a semi-final to come.”