POOLE Town saw their seven-match unbeaten run in National South grind to a halt as they were thumped 4-0 at St Albans City.
Josh Hill headed home Matt Ball's corner after just three minutes and Louie Theophanous slotted under Nick Hutchings to make it 2-0.
Theophanous doubled his personal tally in the second half before completing his hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game.
Poole boss Tom Killick said: "It was even in the first half and two defensive lapses coupled with some wasteful finishing meant we were two goals adrift.
"The second half was a classic case of us trying to retrieve the deficit and being caught a bit exposed at the back.
"Sometimes the scoreline doesn't tell the full story but I'm not saying they didn't deserve to win because they definitely did."
Dolphins: Hutchings, Lindsay, Spetch, Walker, Whisken, Granger (Wort, 62), Burbidge, Devlin, Roberts, Baggie (Davis, 83), Case (Surridge, 49). Unused sub: Rees (g/k).
In the second round of the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup, Steve Smith and Steve Flynn both hit hat-tricks in Hamworthy United's 8-0 thrashing of Cowes Sports. Connor Phillips and Matt Kemble completed the scoring.
Ali Fakhal netted Poppies' consolation in their 3-1 home defeat to Andover Town in the first round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.
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