After a tricky start for the Rebels which saw Harrison Male deliver two sharp stops within the opening minute, they found the opener on the half-hour mark.

Top scorer Pearce bagged his 20th of the season with a cool finish beyond Mitchell Beeney after brilliant hold up play from strike partner Akanbi.

Pearce’s 21st came just minutes later when he converted from the penalty spot at the second time of asking. Encroachment forced Pearce into retaking from twelve yards out, however that didn’t put off the front man and he duly doubled the hosts’ lead.

Worthing were at their free-flowing best in the first half and they found their third five minutes before half time.

Akanbi cut inside before curling a finessed effort which was simply unstoppable, nestling in the top left hand corner.

Any fears of the hosts taking their foot off the gas in the second half were quickly put to bed just three minutes into the second half.

This time Pearce turned provider for Akanbi who prodded home his second of the game from close range.

The Rebels made it five as the clock struck 52 minutes; from a cute free-kick from the left flank, Davide Rodari stole in at the back post to extend the advantage further.

Rodari made a nuisance of himself once more five minutes later when his presence forced an own goal from the unfortunate Charlie Campbell, who diverted Joel Colbran’s delivery into his own goal.

In the closing half-an-hour Hinshelwood’s men showed their class as they saw the game out with ease, putting on a real show for their jubilant supporters.

The icing on the cake came ten minutes from the end when Rodari joined Pearce and Akanbi in bagging a brace; bursting beyond the lacklustre Rangers defence before firing through the legs of a defeated Beeney.

As for the over 1,300 Worthing fans inside the Crucial Environmental Stadium it was seventh heaven, with the Rebels cruising to a thumping victory which saw them back into the playoff places with five matches to play.

Hinshelwood’s men are back in action on Easter Monday when they travel to relegation threatened Cheshunt.