Sadiq Umar fired a sensational hat-trick in 29 minutes for UD Almeria to sink Ponferradina 3-1 to stay within striking distance of automatic promotion spot in the Spanish Segunda Division.
He has now netted nine goals so far in Spain.
Almeria remain third on the table with 41 points from 20 matches, same as second-placed Mallorca, who have a superior goals difference and have a game in hand.
Umar opened scoring tonight in the second minute, before he doubled the tally on 21 minutes.
He then completed his treble in the 29th minute.
The top two teams in Segunda Division will be promoted automatically to La Liga, while the third to sixth placed clubs will playoff for another promotion slot.
