And it was again the Fizzers defensive woes which came back to haunt them, with Chris Powell’s men having now conceded 24 goals in their last five league outings - all of which they have lost.

Things began in encouraging fashion for the Bottom Meadow side, as they took an early lead when Tom Joslin fired home.

They held on to that advantage until the final minute of the first half, when an excellent strike from Epsom captain Barry Corder ensured the two sides would go into the break on even terms.

However the visitors took over in the second half and Corder put them in front with a similar goal to his first as the floodgates opened.

With the Fizzers reeling, Epsom extended their lead when Corder’s corner was prodded home by Luke Reynolds from close range.

And the irrepressible Corder then rounded off his hat trick in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as his cross-cum-shot found its way into the bottom corner of the Sandhurst goal to make it 4-1 and put the end result beyond doubt.

The rout continued as Athletic made it five through Taylor Mollatt, the striker collecting a fine pass from Robbie Burns before rifling a shot home.

Epsom continued to press for more goals and netted a sixth when Corder slighlty blotted his copy book by having a penalty saved, only for Mollatt to score from the rebound.

The Fizzers fought to the end, however, and grabbed a consolation goal in the final stages of the contest when Sean Delfosse drilled home.

Sandhurst now sit bottom but one in the Combined Counties Division One, in 15th place.

They’ll look to end their winless run when they travel to fellow strugglers Dorking on Saturday (3pm ko), in an early-season six-pointer.