The Numbers headed to Paddock Wood's Elm Tree Ground in confident mood as they looked to extend their winning run to 6 games.

They were 5 changes from last week's 10-1 demolition of Roselands Reserves with Kerton, Mazurkiewicz, Gilbert, Ellis and Chapman replacing Lower, Davis, Parsons, Polinski and Henshall. Chapman was an 11th hour addition to the starting lineup as Prime skipper Matt Walker was laid low with a virus.

The hosts could only field 10 players after being let down by ex-Prime keeper Gary Latter - but Prime struggled to make their numerical advantage tell.

It was a strangely lacklustre performance from Prime who were guilty of rushing passes and getting caught offside far too often.

Eventually they did break through on the 20 minute mark when Excell put Walters through. He broke a tackle before finishing coolly beyond the stand-in keeper.

But Prime were stunned just 5 minutes later when the home side's central midfielder was allowed to run largely unchallenged before unleashing an unstoppable 25 yarder which looped over Kerton into the top corner.

Prime nearly re-took the lead when Sander burst down the inside right channel but his shot came back off the bar.

The Numbers were getting very frustrated with some more than dubious offside decisions - but crucially they did re-take the lead before the break. Ellis released Chapman down the left and the winger put in a teasing low cross that the marauding left-back just managed to toe-poke into the net as the keeper came out.

But the alarm bells were still ringing when Kerton mis-cued an attempted clearance and Ellis had to hook off the line.

Some harsh words were said at half-time - too many players were coasting through the game, expecting the goals to just come - but several players knew they needed to pull their socks up.

The start of the second half was delayed after referee Bartholomew suffered an eperleptic fit and thanks go to Trevor Wratten for stepping in for the second half.

Prime gained a 2-goal cushion when Joe Walker - who seemed to have left his shooting boots at home in the first half - managed to lift the ball over the advancing keeper just 5 minutes into the second half.

Still 'Wood were causing problems and after Abu got caught in possession, Goldsmith had to make a last-ditch challenge to keep their striker at bay.

Abu made amends moments later when he scored directly from a corner, curling the ball high into the corner of the net.

Postlethwaite joined the action as soon as this goal went in, replacing Sander down the right. It was one of those days for the right-winger who put in an early entry for miss of the season when a sumptuous left-wing cross from the impressive Chapman took the defence and the keeper totally out of the game - but Sander headed high over the bar from roughly 5 yards with the goal gaping.

Postlethwaite's quick thinking resulted in number 5 as his quick throw released Walters who capped an energetic performance in the heart of midfield with one of his trademark curling long distance efforts - again catching the keeper slightly off his line.

Excell made it 6 with 15 minutes to go as he sprang the offside trap and smashed home for his 4th goal in 3 games.

He was immediately replaced by Barnham who made a welcome return to Prime colours after nearly 10 weeks on the sidelines with his ankle injury.

Despite playing in an unaccustomed forward role, he managed to provide an assist as his knock-down found Mazurkiewicz who neatly took the ball down before slotting home into the corner of the net.

The game was halted again with just a minute or so to go due to a serious looking ankle injury to Paddock Wood's centre-back. This reduced the home side to 9 men - but amazingly they managed to round off the scoring as their central-midfielder scored a carbon copy of his first-half strike - again giving Kerton no chance.

So it's 6 wins in a row for The Numbers, but they will have to improve greatly on this performance if they are to sustain a promotion challenge.