RYAN Cox helped himself to four goals, including three before half-time, as Bootle outclassed Barnton.

The Bucks assumed control from the start, and the front man had already been denied by stand-in goalkeeper Chris Kiernan’s outstanding double save before stroking an opener.

He doubled his personal tally shortly afterwards when his shot was judged to have crossed the goal-line before a retreating Niall Ford hacked it clear.

The Villagers responded and Jack Irlam, who bagged a brace during an impressive midweek draw at 1874 Northwich, prompted Bootle number one Charlie Taylor to produce his best with a one-handed stop.

The home team’s custodian was then equal to Chris Smith’s attempt from the resulting corner.

Ford smuggled clear as Bootle pushed for a third goal that arrived in the seconds before half-time when Cox again escaped the attention of Barnton’s back four.

Cox made it 4-0 on 56 minutes when he steered in from close range before Smith twice went close to reducing his side’s arrears.

The Bucks added gloss to the score-line on 65 minutes when Steven Jones’ stylish finish from inside the penalty area increased their tally to five.

“We were second-best and soundly beaten,” said Barnton boss Steve Lloyd.

“I’ve no complaints about the result; we have to move on and recognise where things went wrong for us.”

Bootle | Taylor (GK), Halligan, Hoy, Murphy, Powell, Ellis-Pratt, Millington, Howell (O’Connor), Jones (Hamilton), Ordish (Swatton), Cox Subs not used Brislen, Hodkinson Goals Cox 5, 12, 45 56 Jones 65

Barnton | Kiernan (GK), Stafford, Ford, Bayley, Pearson, Houghton (Hassell 65), Hamid, Jason McShane, Bandell (James McShane 65), Irlam, Smith (Woolley 65) Subs not used Derek McShane

Attendance 130