A SPECTACULAR win over third-placed St Albans City on Saturday left Aldershot needing just one point from four matches to secure their promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

Canvey Island beat Chesham to keep themselves in with a mathematical chance, but the Aldershot fans decided to have a party anyway.

At the final whistle, Terry Brown and his players were greeted like conquering heroes, particularly Aaron McLean who ended his goal drought with a brilliant hat-trick.

Yet Aldershot had made a stuttering start against a strong City side who looked determined to be party-poopers when they took the lead on 10 minutes.

The home defence was not looking the same secure unit without the injured Ray Warburton and, having conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area, they were well and truly deceived when Dominic Naylor ran in from an unexpected angle to curl a beautiful left-foot shot into the top corner.

Aldershot were soon making chances themselves, but Steve Perkins failed to get three unchallenged headers on target and Richard Wilmot, the St Albans 'keeper, made a brave save at the feet of McLean who had been released by strike partner Roscoe D'Sane.

The visitors, meanwhile, were springing Aldershot's offside trap with ominous ease and a fast counter-attack, instigated by the skilful Simon Martin, was only thwarted by Jason Chewins' vital goal-line clearance.

Had they scored then, City would have been well on course for a double over the leaders. But in the 28th minute a fine piece of opportunism by Lee Holsgrove changed everything.

It was, in fact, a comedy of errors as St Albans directed the ball towards their own penalty area with a series of wayward headers. Skipper Derek Brown was then guilty of a horrendous mis-kick and Holsgrove nipped in to score with an angled shot just inside the far post.

Having scored one, Holsgrove then made one in the closing seconds of the half, with a quick knock forward to send McLean racing clear of a square defence.

The money would perhaps not have been on McLean to score his first league goal for Aldershot – his record in one-on-ones is not good – but the teenager proved the doubters wrong with a clinical finish high into the net as Wilmot raced off his line.

The confidence oozed out of St Albans and Aldershot were in complete control thereafter, although it was 33 minutes into the second half before they really hit overdrive.

Skipper Paul Buckle, playing his best football in these vital matches, had gone through his full repertoire on the right: long balls, short balls, chipped passes that fell neatly to feet, crosses that swerved wickedly.

This time, it was a cross from the right that curled away from defenders, leaving McLean with a simple close-range header to make it 3-1.

Then it was time for a bit of show-boating – "You could see the weight lift off their shoulders," Brown said later – and, in substitute Lee Charles, Aldershot had the player to provide some late fireworks.

With four minutes left, D'Sane crossed from the right and it was Charles' turn to head in from almost on the goal-line.

Still, Aldershot were not finished. With St Albans now chasing shadows, Charles picked up a deep cross from Dean Hooper. He could have gone for goal himself, but instead squared the ball to the waiting McLean who curled in a lovely shot to complete his hat-trick.

Aldershot: Bull, Hooper, Chewins (Nutter 57), Cousins, Perkins (L Charles 76), Sterling, Roddis (Sowden 89) Holsgrove, McLean, D'Sane, Buckle. Subs (not used) Howells (g/k), Browne.

St Albans: Wilmot, Gledhill, Naylor, Evans, Brown, Challinor, Kean, Hyatt (Moran 74), Martin, Crawshaw (Mackail-Smith 74), Young (Lodge 90). Subs (not used) White, Cook. Booked: Naylor, Evans.

Referee:G M Brittain.

Attendance: 2,883.