JAMES Poole was hailed as 'a magician' after scoring the first of two brilliant Altrincham goals in a convincing third straight league win at Witton Albion on Monday.

Fresh from inspiring a 4-2 victory over Coalville Town on Saturday, Poole weaved his magic again at Wincham Park, as Alty closed to within three points of leaders Warrington with their first hat-trick of league wins since January, 2015.

A Poole piledriver was followed by an equally-emphatic finish by Josh Hancock before half time, and there was no way back for a Witton side who had been eyeing top place themselves prior to kick off.

Saluting the attacking artistry of summer signing Poole and influence of skipper Jake Moult, manager Phil Parkinsion said: "There was minimum back-lift for James' goal, and he looked nonchalant the way he hit it.

"He is a magician. Some of the things he does are spectacular, things you think he has no right to do.

"That is why I went all out to get him to the club, and I can see him turning into a cult hero with Alty fans.

"He's on his way to that already. He is like a poet on the football field – it's a pleasure to watch him and a pleasure to manage him.

"Josh Hancock's goal was an absolute rifle of a shot, and I thought he ran Jake Moult close for man-of-the-match.

"But Jake was outstanding, an absolute true leader. That's a big reason why I wanted to keep him here, because he is Altrincham through and through, and you can see it in his performances.

"He is busting a gut to do well for this club and when I gave him the captaincy I knew that was what we would get from him.

"I spoke to him extensively before I got the job. You could tell the feeling he had for the place, and that was one of the big things that sold it to me."

Alty are away to Abbey Hey in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday.