SUPER Stefan Shillingford snapped up a hat-trick of tries as Dudley Kingswinford staged a stunning recovery to record a 32-27 success over Luctonians in National Two North.

DK had to come from 27-10 down with only 14 men after flanker Tom Leach was dismissed following a second yellow card to secure victory.

Leach’s dismissal incensed DK’s player-coach Jon Higgins as he claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.

Higgins said: “I don’t know what the appeal process is, but the ref got it wrong.

“However, the guilty party isn’t owning up at the moment.

“At 27-10 down, we never gave up and thought that Luctonians big pack would run out of steam.

“I know Shilly will get all the glory, but our pack who went toe-to-toe with Luctonians.

“Shilly’s had a couple of games for the Worcester Cavaliers and is more than ready for the step-up.

“We’re not in the habit of holding young players back and I think playing at outside centre is makes him a more dangerous player.”

Although fly-half Gareth Bown kicked DK ahead with an early penalty, they were soon trailing 15-3 after Leach was sin-biined for his first yellow card.

Luctonians flanker Chris Harris forced his way over for a couple of tries with Jake Newman converting one.

Restored back to 15 men, Shillingford scored the first of his treble, which Bown converted to make the score 15-10.

Luctonians appeared to take charge early in the second-half with two more tries from wingers Drew Cheshire and Alex Rumsey, with Newman adding one more convertsion.

Shillingford came to the rescue with a superbly taken second try, improved upon by Bown’s conversion.

Bown then kicked a penalty to make the score 27-20 beforeShillingford raced fully 80 metres to score a memorable third try.

Bown converted to level the scores and then winger Duncah Chance scored the winning try.

DK travel to Lancashire side Caldy this Saturday.