By MATT LEE

MARK HUGHES’ late goal proved just to be a consolation goal against his former side as Chelmsford drummed five past Eastbourne Borough in the National League South.

Josh Rees scored his first goal for Chelmsford after just 18 minutes before Shamir Mullings’ thunderous strike doubled the visitors’ lead on 22 minutes.

Shaun Jeffers’ solo effort put the Clarets three-clear seven minutes into the second half, before Josh Hare’s own-goal summed up a disappointing afternoon for Tommy Widdrington’s men.

Jeffers concluded an excellent solo performance for City with a sublime finish, sending his effort spinning effort into the top right corner of the goal.

City’s pressure eventually told as Rees netted – albeit with an almighty deflection past Lewis Carey after 18 minutes.

The score-line doubled four minutes later when substitute Daley played the ball forward to the Clarets’ top-scorer Mullings and he unleashed an unstoppable strike past Carey. An excellent block from City’s Mark Haines was all that was kept the scores the same as he kept out a powerful shot from McCallum.

Things took a turn for the worse as Brian Dutton was dismissed for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by bringing down Mullings.

Jeffers latched onto Willmott’s through ball, his unstoppable pace left the Boro’ defender flat-footed before he calmly sent a left-footed shot underneath Carey to get his sixth goal of the season.

Things got even worse for the host’s as they went down to nine-men after Ian Simpemba received a second yellow card after dragging Jeffers down to the ground.

The Clarets were into dream land as their score-line became 4-0, Willmott’s driving run on the left culminated in an in-swinging cross which was unfortunately punched by the home ‘keeper into the back of Hare.

Bagasan Graham was being tugged back on the far side and his hurried pass to Jeffers opened up enough space on the edge of the box for Jeffers to demonstrate an excellent piece of skill and send his shot into the top corner of the goal.