Luke Armstrong hit four first half goals as Town returned to winning ways by putting six past South Shields.

Town's number 29 opened the scoring in just the second minute after Abraham Odoh's pass took a deflection into the path of Armstrong to coolly dispatch.

Armstrong's second came from a Harrogate corner with Liam Gibson putting in a strong challenge to regain possession and allow Amrstong to power home.

Sam Folarin was the provider when Armstrong completed his hat-trick after just 12 minutes, floating a cross onto the head of his teammate that was expertly glanced into the corner.

The hosts did pull a goal back through Paul Blackett, but the Armstrong show would shortly resume as Town's frontman stole possession from a South Shields defender and slotted past the goalkeeper.

Three changes at half time included the introduction of Jack Muldoon and Josh Falkingham, who were both involved in Town's fifth. Falkingham winning the ball back and finding Muldoon, who made no mistake in getting his account open for the season.

Dean Cornelius would score Town's sixth and final goal, George Thomson's deep cross turned back across goal and towards Cornelius to finish.

Town: Oxley, Mattock, Smith, Odoh (Thomson 45), M Daly (O'Boyle 70), Folarin (Ilesanmi 70), Sutton (Cornelius 70), Ramsay (Wilson 70), Foulds (Falkingham 45), Armstrong (Muldoon 45), Gibson

Goals: Armstrong 2, 11, 12, 40, Muldoon 67, Cornelius 82

Attendance: 1,007