HAT-TRICK man Ricky Miller was reluctantly picked out for special praise after taking his season's tally to 14 goals.

Not that manager Alan Biley didn't think that the striker's trio was great. He was just keen to stress this was a superb team effort.

He said: "Ricky's hat-trick has probably been overshadowed by a great team performance.

"He has been maligned a little for his bookings and sending offs but it was a great hat-trick.

"I was looking forward to working with him again this season and I felt he was a 25 goals a season player.

"He's developing a nice partnership with Martin Wormall."

The 2-1 win at Goole ten days ago was close to the Tulips at their best; this hammering was even closer.

How times have changed. Grantham would have normally seen this derby as a banker for three points.

But twice this season the Gingerbreads have left the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field with a resounding beating. The Tulips sent them packing with a 3-0 in the UniBond League Challenge Cup back in September.

Miller started the party after ten minutes, spinning on the edge of the area and rifling home a right-foot effort.

The Tulips poured forward with confidence, looking like they would add more goals from their many chances.

Miller doubled the lead on the stroke of half time with a replica of the free kick he scored at Goole. Again it was bent beautifully into a top corner of the net.

It got even better when Wormall sweetly struck the third goal from 20 yards just before the hour. Then Miller stretched his legs to outpace the defence down the left and deliver his hat-trick goal.

Lister gave Grantham no more than consolation with an 85th minute goal but Wormall made sure the Tulips had the last say with his second in the dying moments.

Biley, who believes the district council allowing them to train on the pitch recently has helped their good form, said: "When we are getting a 7+ rating from every player we are going to do things against the better teams in the league."

It was defender Lewis Allen's final game before joining Loughborough Dynamo.

Tulips: McShane, Jones, Allen, Goosey, Hurst (Carey 55mins), Young (Moore 61mins), Hughes, Kennedy, French, Wormall, Miller (Duroe 75mins).

Saturday: Kidsgrove Ath v Tulips.