NELSON blasted NWCL Second Division whipping boys Oldham Town with a seven goal broadside but lost goalkeeper Billy Carrington to a serious knee injury after only three minutes.
Carrington had to be taken to hospital after a collision on the field and Paul Sconce took over in goal.
Sconce was rarely troubled as the Blues took control and went in front after nine minutes when Glen Little was tripped in the Oldham penalty area and Andy Howarth converted the spot kick.
Oldham were reduced to ten men after 17 minutes when Stuart Lister was sent off for dissent.
Home keeper Martin Campbell kept Nelson as bay but was powerless to prevent Andy Howarth scoring his second after Lee Coldridge's header had been blocked on the goalline after 29 minutes.
Dave Gray ran the Oldham defence ragged and on the stroke of half time he drew the keeper before slotting the ball past him for an interval lead of 3-0.
Nine minutes into the second half, Nelson went four up when Coldridge provided a low cross for Gray to turn into the Oldham net.
Oldham survived a further 20 minutes without conceding another goal but Gray completed his hat-trick heading in Stuart Mulligan's corner after 74 minutes to make it 5-0.
Three minutes later, John Bailey's high ball found Gray and he shrugged off a defender before shooting home number six.
Within two minutes of the restart, Mulligan released Coldridge on the right wing and his speed took him into the Oldham penalty area where he unleashed a blistering shot for number seven.
OLDHAM TOWN...0
NELSON...7
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