LEWIS Grabban plundered an 18-minute hat-trick to propel in-form Cherries to a fourth successive League One win of the season.

Grabban, who served Oldham on loan in 2006, bagged his treble in the second half as Cherries took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break.

Following a goalless first-half, the 24-year-old opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when he diverted Harry Arter’s shot past Latics goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.

Grabban made it 2-0 just a minute later when his well-timed run to the near post allowed him to sweep home a cross from Simon Francis.

And he completed his hat-trick when he reacted quickest to net the rebound after Arter’s 71st-minute penalty had been saved by Bouzanis.

Charlie Daniels eluded his marker to power Marc Pugh’s free-kick past Bouzanis to make it 4-0 before Matt Smith grabbed a late consolation for the Latics.

Francis, who had been a doubt due a hip injury, returned to the starting line-up as boss Eddie Howe made one change following Cherries’ 1-0 win at Doncaster.

Chances were at a premium in the first half with Cristian Montano’s 12th-minute effort blocked by Shaun MacDonald as the Latics looked to draw first blood.

Cherries threatened when Daniels burst clear down the left flank, although his final ball was poor as Grabban and Josh McQuoid waited for a better delivery.

Grabban’s strike was charged down by Jonathan Grounds before Pugh’s speculative effort sailed over the crossbar.

Montano’s theatrical tumble under a Daniels challenge failed to cut any ice with referee Steve Rushton as the Latics appealed in vain for a penalty.

Jose Baxter blazed over the top when well placed on the edge of the box before the best chance of the opening period fell to Lee Barnard on the stroke of half-time.

However, after taking aim with a right-foot volley, the Southampton loan striker saw his angled drive land on top of the net.

Cherries had a penalty appeal waved away after Pugh had gone to ground under a tackle from Reece Wabara before McQuoid’s low shot was saved by Latics goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.

Howe’s men opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when Grabban diverted the ball past Bouzanis after getting on the end of Arter’s miscued strike.

And the 24-year-old striker quickly doubled Cherries’ lead when he swept home a cross from Francis just a minute later.

Grabban completed his hat-trick when he followed up to convert the rebound after Arter’s 71st-minute penalty had been saved by Bouzanis.

Daniels then got in on the act when he headed home Pugh’s clever free-kick, the defender slipping his marker to net 10 minutes from time.

Latics substitute Matt Smith headed Wabara’s cross past David James to register a consolation goal for the visitors in the 86th minute.

Cherries: James, Francis, Addison, Elphick, Daniels, McQuoid, MacDonald, Arter (O’Kane, 79), Pugh (McDermott, 84), Barnard, Grabban (Fogden, 77).

Unused subs: Fletcher, Tubbs, Cook, Jalal (g/k).

Booked: Arter, McDermott.

Latics: Bouzanis, Wabara, M’Voto, Byrne, Grounds, Croft (Smith, 58), Simpson (Sutherland, 58), M’Changama (Winchester, 77), Montano, Derbyshire, Baxter.

Unused subs: Brown, Tarkowski, Hughes, Cisak (g/k).

Booked: Grounds, Baxter, Winchester.

Attendance: 6,118 (including 209 visiting supporters).

Referee: Steve Rushton (Staffordshire).