Zayn Hakeen scores three times as Anstey Nomads beat Stamford AFC in the FA Trophy
Former Stamford striker Zayn Hakeem hit a 23-minute hat-trick as the Daniels were dumped out of the FA Trophy by Anstey Nomads on Saturday.
The lower level Northern Premier League Midlands Division side ran out 5-1 winners in the third qualifying round clash at the Zeeco Stadium.
Stamford had got off to the perfect start when new signing Richard Gregory marked his debut with a fourth minute opener.
However, fellow frontman Jack Duffy was then red-carded for a challenge and Anstey equalised just past the half-hour mark through Rhys Dolan.
Brad Wilson put the visitors ahead four minutes into the second half before Hakeem's treble ended Stamford's hopes in this year's competition as they experienced their heaviest home defeat since March 2017.
There was a debut for Gregory up front with Billy Bennett also starting in place of Will Glennon and Charlie Marzano.
Stamford opened the scoring when Gregory received the ball and his turn and shot from the edge of the area flew into the top corner past Conrad Logan in the Anstey goal.
Anstey then had a shot which was blocked at the expense of a corner while Stamford had a chance to extend their lead when a cross from the right found James Blunden at the back post but the Daniels defender placed his header wide of the post.
Rob Morgan then had a shot from distance which Logan pushed away for a corner before Jacob Fenton had a chance to equalise when he twisted and turned past the Daniels defence but his shot was straight at Tom Jackson.
Stamford were reduced to 10 men after 28 minutes when Duffy was given his marching orders for a foul on an Anstey defender.
The visitors were level five minutes later when Dolan broke down the right and after turning the Daniels defence slotted the ball past Jackson.
Just before half-time, Stamford had a chance to retake the lead when Gregory turned the defender but his shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Anstey took the lead four minutes into the second when Wilson received the ball and he fired a shot through the Stamford back line which caught Jackson unaware and into the net.
The visitors added a third on 63 minutes when former Daniels frontman Hakeem received the ball from a cross from the right and he was unmarked to score.
He scored his second and Anstey’s fourth on 74 minutes when he received the ball and rounded Jackson to extend the visitors' lead.
Hakeem completed his hat-trick on 86 minutes when a cross from the right found the striker and, although his initial shot was blocked, he was able to follow up and slot the ball home from close range.
