SIX-shooters Elton Vale fired their way into second place in Division One of the Manchester League with a comprehensive victory at mid-table Chapel Town.

Substitute Robin Greenwood scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 win to ensure Vale remain a point behind leaders East Manchester ahead of their showdown at the Sports Club on Saturday.

The visitors took the game to the hosts in a dominant first-half performance but were twice denied by the woodwork before the break as both Shaun Carey and Steve Simms saw shots bounce back off the bar.

Carey and Tom Pickersgill marshalled the midfield, sensibly moving the ball wide on the sticky surface to produce several half chances.

But Chapel could easily have opened the scoring before the break when the Vale keeper was called upon to make a fine double save.

Greenwood was introduced in the last minute of the first half and gave Vale the lead moments after the restart, only for Joshua Wood to equalise for the home side.

Elton restored their lead on 55 minutes when Simms squared for Greenwood, who sidestepped his marker and placed a shot across goal into the corner.

Jamie Treanor gambled on a route-one clearance to make it 3-1 five minutes later and Greenwood showed a calm head to pick his spot for his hat-trick.

Treanor converted a penalty after Greenwood was felled in the box, while Simms headed in the sixth from a Carey corner.