IAN McParland hailed the performance of hat-trick hero Jonathan Forte, following the 4-0 win at Underhill.

But he said he was even more pleased with a second successive clean-sheet.

After keeping non-league Sutton United at bay in the first round of the FA Cup, Russell Hoult claimed his first shut-out in League Two against the Bees.

It is the first clean sheet the Magpies have kept in the league since the opening home game of the season against Darlington when Kevin Pilkington was in goal.

And McParland said: "It's fantastic young Jonathan got his hat-trick but the most pleasing thing for me is that we have had two clean sheets from two away games and long may it continue.

"Russell Hoult didn't have to make any great saves during the game but he was our best player even though Jonathan got his hat-trick because everything he did was excellent.

"He was sharp, his handling was excellent, his positioning was good and his distribution was fantastic."

McParland insisted his side have played better than they did against Barnet in games this season they have not won.

But he was delighted with the clinical finishing of Richard Butcher and Forte in the first half that inspired the biggest win of the season after three league defeats in a row.

"The first goal wasn't just a great finish it was a great ball from Paul Mayo which we have been working on and Del (Delroy Facey) stuck it right into his path," he added.

"Butch still had a lot to do when the ball fell to him but he stuck it in the bottom corner with his left foot. It was a great goal."