Eccleshill put their recent bad form behind them in some style to run out worthy and comfortable victors with

a seven-star performance against Maltby Main at Plumpton Park.

United eased their fears of being drawn into a Northern Counties East Premier Division relegation battle with the result. Maltby, who are back in Bradford tomorrow to take on Liversedge, must now be worrying that they might get sucked in.

"I just don't know what to think any more," said stunned but happy United manager Ray Price.

"I have said we are a Jekyll and Hyde team before today but this display beats the lot. It has made me question everything I've ever seen in football

"We had no Rob Cornwall, who had to work at short notice, so we were a bit

worried about having no height at the back. Then we go a goal down after just eight minutes and we are shaking our heads and wondering how to change it to minimise the damage.

"Then, for some reason, we are at them non-stop. We got in front by half-time, although only just at 2-1, and Steve (assistant Watson) and me were telling them that we needed to go out and do the same to make sure we didn't have it taken from us.

"We sent the lads out for the second half and it's Christmas come early before you can say 'get the subs warmed up'. I told the lads not to feel sorry for the opposition because, if the boot was on the other foot, they wouldn't.

"There is no room for sentiment in the game. You have to be professional and I try to be, as far you can at a semi-pro club. It was a great all-round performance and the players should be proud."

After recent results, Price had four of the Academy side in his 14-strong squad. Two of them started and the others made up two thirds of the bench.

The manager admitted it was a gamble - and it looked like one that was about to backfire when Maltby opened the scoring in the eighth minute. There could be no complaints as it was a great strike, Jordan Stocks finding the top corner from distance and giving Paul Morris no chance.

Luke Hudson, one of the under-19s

elevated to the first team after promising cameo roles, got on the end of James Hanson's cut-back to equalise.

Then Hanson, the other starter from the Academy, latched on to a weak back-pass and put United ahead ten minutes before the break.

Three minutes into the second half Ben Hardy left defenders in his wake as he broke down the left flank before netting a shot on the run, while a stunning effort from range gave Scott Broughton the pleasure of scoring the fourth.

Another run and cut inside before shooting on the run brought Hardy his second and substitute Andy Howland profited from a Hardy cross to net the sixth after beating a defender.

It was fitting that Hudson completed the scoring when he outpaced the Maltby back line in the 87th minute and rounded the keeper before slotting home.

Price said: "I think he was our man of the match and he was only denied a hat-trick in the last minute. Another shot on target deserved a goal but their keeper got a big hand on it, enough to deflect it wide."