Dave Stevens plundered a hat-trick as Crawley Town thrashed relegated Salisbury City 4-0 in this Premier Division clash.

Reds boss Billy Smith made one change from Saturday's win over Hinckley United, with Jimmy Dack coming in at left back for the injured Nigel Brake.

The game failed to excite the Broadfield Stadium crowd early on, and the first half was a poor spectacle.

Salisbury were playing merely for pride after being relegated last week.

The home side enjoyed a great deal of possession but efforts on goal from Danny Carroll and Ian Payne failed to test keeper James Bittner.

On 35 minutes, Reds sliced Salisbury open for the first time as Rob Collins beat three defenders and set up Ben Abbey, but he pulled his shot well wide.

Two minutes before the break, another great chance was missed as Keith Sharman swung in a great cross but Carroll volleyed over.

Salisbury came out the brighter in the second half, and from Ryan King's cross, Scott Griffin fired straight at keeper Andy Little.

The experienced Tommy Killick found space on the left and almost set up Griffin for the opener before firing just over the bar himself.

Reds sneaked ahead in the 58th minute when defender Lee Doherty chested in Dack's corner from close range.

The lead was doubled ten minutes later as substitute Stevens beat his man and rolled a low shot past the motionless Bittner.

Stevens grabbed his second of the night in the 82nd minute after Carroll's shot had deflected off a defender.

Stevens then wrapped up his hat-trick in injury time after being set up by Dave Harlow.

Smith said: "Dave Stevens is getting fitter and fitter and he has a real eye for goal - it's a shame we didn't have that option upfront earlier in the season."