Chasetown FC slipped to defeat on the road at Carlton Town.
The hosts were on top from the outset, forcing Scholars keeper Curtis Pond into a number of saves.
But the resistance was eventually ended when Pond was penalised for a trip and Aaron Hooton stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.
It was to prove a good afternoon for the Carlton man as he netted again before the break and then completed his hat-trick with 50 minutes on the clock.
Chasetown only had a late Jack Langston goal to show for their efforts.
The Scholars will look to bounce straight back when they travel to Lincoln tonight (December 13).
