WAS more a comedy of errors than a football match but there would have been few complaints from the 129 hardy Wrexham fans who trekked up to a bitterly cold Hartlepool on Saturday to watch Juan Ugarte write himself into the club's record books.
No Racecourse player has ever scored five goals away from home. Only two others, Archie Livingstone and the legendary Tommy Bamford, both some 60 years ago, have matched the performance of the 24-year-old from San Sebastian on their home turf.
Ugarte, rejected by Liverpool before coming to Wrexham last October, had just seven chances during the game.
And now there seems little doubt he will now become a target for other clubs ahead of the March 24 transfer deadline.
Whether the cash-strapped Dragons hold on to arguably their best hope of avoiding relegation could depend on the out-come of tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy clash against Oldham Athletic, with a Millennium Stadium date at stake.
Clutching another match ball under his arm - his third of the season to date - Ugarte played down his match-winning performance, insisting the result and the three points mattered most as the dust settled on a remarkable afternoon at Victoria Park.
There was no hint of the drama to come as Hartlepool - 5-1 winners at the Racecourse a few months ago - took the lead just four minutes into the game.
The appallingly inept Kevin Friend penalised Steve Roberts for a tackle on Joel Porter 18 yards from Ben Foster's goal. Gavin Strachan, son of Gordon, struck a low shot through the defensive wall to beat the keeper at his near post.
Within seven minutes, Llewellyn latched on to a poor defensive header to prod the ball forward and Ugarte lobbed Dimitrios Konstantopoulos from 12 yards.
The hosts had their chances to restore the lead before Ugarte struck again on 21 minutes.
Carlos Edwards was brought down by Porter and, when Darren Ferguson's free-kick was headed firmly back across the goal by Andy Holt, Ugarte volleyed past Konstantopoulos.
United demonstrated why they had previously lost just once at home and only Shaun Pejic's persistence prevented Porter from restoring parity.
But the energetic midfielder made no mistake after 31 minutes, bursting through a static back line.
But back came Wrexham. Llewellyn was pushed in the back by Eifion Williams to earn the penalty which gave Ugarte the opportunity to notch his treble.
No one doubted there were more goals to come but, amazingly, Wrexham held out until the 62nd minute, when Adam Boyd slammed home a cross from Matty Robson.
But within six minutes Ugarte grabbed his fourth, receiving an Edwards pass to turn and drive an angled shot home.
It was riveting stuff as Foster made another great save, turning John Brackstone's free-kick over the bar, before Ugarte almost set up Ferguson for what would have been a sitter.
Konstantopoulos kept Pool in the hunt and, following an 83rd-minute goal-mouth scramble at the other end, Porter scored his second to level it once more.
The home side sensed victory but were punished when Llewellyn broke away four minutes from time before setting up Jones for a simple finish.
Having then missed an open goal from six yards, he charged down Strachan's attempted clearance to set up Ugarte's fifth.
Wrexham: Foster; Pejic, Roberts, Lawrence, Edwards; Jones (Green 87), Ferguson, Crowell, Holt; Llewellyn (Sam 90), Ugarte. Subs not used: Spender, Done, Harrison.
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 4,707
