Lee Hughes' hat-trick inside 17 minutes fired Oldham to victory over Cheltenham and to the top of League One.

Lewis Allesandra's pass set up Hughes to fire Oldham ahead in explosive fashion on the stroke of half time.

Hughes grabbed his second on 50 minutes, sweeping home Andy Liddell's knock-back, and he headed home Neal Eardley's cross to complete his treble.

Danny Whitaker completed the rout, blasting the Latics' 10th goal in three League games home from 20 yards.

Oldham: Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Liddell (Smalley 72), Allott (Maher 86), Whitaker, Taylor, Hughes (O'Grady 73), Alessandra.
Subs Not Used: Fleming, Stam.

Goals: Hughes 45, 50, 62, Whitaker 85.

Cheltenham: Higgs, Jeremy Gill, Duff, Townsend, Wright, Vincent (Lindegaard 70), Sinclair, Gallinagh (Connor 55), Russell, Myrie-Williams, Hayles (Ledgister 87).
Subs Not Used: Scott P Brown, Ridley.

Att: 4,673

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).