If any of Nuneaton’s rivals for the championship thought they were beginning to slide after the New Year’s Day defeat at Halesowen, they were quickly jolted back to reality.

Borough, still with players feeling the effects of influenza, carried too much firepower for luckless Merthyr.

The Welsh team is way down the league whereas this win restores Nuneaton’s 16 points lead at the top.

It was Nuneaton’s best-ever victory over Merthyr and came about from a well organised all-round team performance in bad conditions. In took seventeen minutes for the first goal to arrive and then Borough scored two more in the space of five minutes.

Terry Angus shot home from close range following Steve Prindiville’s low shot, then Kevin Wilkins headed the second and Barry Williams grabbed the third when he ran through the hesitant Welsh defence.

Garry Shephard sparked Borough back into action in the second half when he pulled a goal back for Merthyr. Nuneaton proceeded to take their opponents apart with another three goal salvo, this time in nine minutes.