Make that five in a row. With this full-throttle, fairly serene victory over one of the in-form teams in the league, Worthing kept their grip at the top of the table. Three goals, all of a supreme standard, were the difference here. Hemel just couldn’t cope with the pressure, with the power. The Reds just keep motoring forward, and here they were at their brilliant best.

There was an interesting addition to the team sheet prior to its 2pm announcement: Aarran Racine was on the bench. No, it’s not April 1. Racine is back, out of retirement and into the playing squad. There are few players as passionate and perfect to have on the pitch in moments such as these. Other than that, it was all fairly normal. Chris Agutter seems to have found that perfect team.

They started well, too. Samuel Adenola might have curled his Hemel Hempstead side into an early lead, yet the reprieve appeared to awaken those in red. There are few players at this level who are as calm and assured as Danny Cashman is with the ball at his feet. He’s a master of his trade, and Monday’s victory was just all him. First, the delightful finish from range. Then the composure from the corner to confirm a fourth straight win.

Cashman was supreme here again on his side’s route to five consecutive victories. A feat that keeps them top. Indeed, still in the driving seat. Still harvesting these points. Still getting over the line. Every victory is as crucial as the last. There will be no room for error. For this is going to the very last kick.

With 20 minutes played Worthing started to shift through the gears. Liam Nash clanked the post with a rasping half-volley, before Cashman crashed the ball over the crossbar from a few yards out after his side had been awarded an indirect free-kick. In the 30^th minute Cashman had curled his side into the lead. Whether he meant it or not, few will care. In it went, evading every red and green shirt in the box on its route beyond Craig King. It was a lovely, snaking thing. It was 1-0. Another good start at home.

Hemel had their moments, chiefly through their centre-forward Oliver Lynch. He’d see a shot well-blocked by Sam Beard and an effort well-held by Lucas Covolan. They just didn’t quite have that clinical prowess to get them a goal. And by the break it was all but over. A slick, silky goal. Crafted by Cashman, billowed into the net by Temi Babalola. Nash, who was so yearned to grab a goal, saw his shot superbly saved by King after Cashman’s delightful pass into his feet. Babalola was there to gobble up the rebound.

That’s just about when the half-time whistle sounded. It had been a breeze: Worthing hungrier and sharper in just about every department. In attack they were lethal. In defence they were resolute. The midfield was the engine, and Odei Sorondo and Jack Spong did not stop running throughout.

This would continue. Worthing were up for it here. It was almost three 10 minutes after the break, but Hemel were able to resist the bombardment in a chaotic scramble. It was cleared off the line two, if not three times within a matter of seconds. By the 63^rd minute the third had arrived. The Reds had just kept marching forward, always seeking that next goal. It came in the form of a classic Worthing goal. Fast, slick, sublime. Joel Colbran spying the run of Nash in the box, he finds him with as much ease and time as Nash had to pick his spot. That one was richly deserved.

And that would be the match. Another one ticked off. There’d be chances, still. Mo Faal came on, Tommy Willard and Ruben Carvalho, too. Imagine being able to bring these sorts of players at 3-0 up. There was even time for Racine to make an appearance. 16 months after his last outing. Three corners of a packed Woodside Road stand and applaud.

As full time approached Worthing’s lead at the top had been extended to four points. Word got around as Truro surrendered a two-goal lead, and soon Woodside Road was fizzing with excitement. At the end Agutter saluted the crowd with a fixed grimace. It means so much to him and the rest of the team. Of all the excellent matches this season, this one might just have been the best.