Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall hailed hat-trick hero Ruben Rodrigues after his superb treble helped the Magpies record a 3-0 win at Southend United.
The Portuguese forward was in imperious form at Roots Hall and opened the scoring in the first half when he volleyed Harry Arter's free-kick beyond Steve Arnold.
He then doubled the lead in the second half with a clinical finish after being teed up by Kyle Wootton before Vitezslav Jaros saved Sam Dalby's penalty.
