The win owed much to a hat-trick of assists by Ato Okai, a second half brace from Ross Chalke and commanding rearguard display from Antonio Simeone, but there were impressive performances all over the pitch.

Injury deprived the Moles of influential pair Rhys Paul and Ronald Sobowale, whilst the visitors arrived with a flurry of new signings following the managerial appointment of Chris Agutter just 48 hours previously.

The visitors dominated the ball in the opening stages without creating a clear-cut chance, but the Moles grew into the game, with Manny Quarshie and Tom Windsor both firing over the bar.

Twenty minutes were on the clock when Okai and Ashley Lodge combined neatly down the left, and Okai’s low cross was calmly stroked home by the impressive Olu Akinsanya.

Six minutes later Okai’s barnstorming run down the left ended in him being upended by Michael Aziaya. Simeone smashed in the resulting penalty.

Jack Dickson tried to catch Liam Allen out from 40 yards but saw his effort sail over the bar.

The Moles were looking comfortable, but a swift counter attack from their own corner and defensive mistakes from James King and Okai resulted in Davide Ridasi firing past Allen to halve the deficit.

Within seconds they nearly grabbed an unlikely equaliser, but Allen kept out Kenny Pogue’s looping header.

Chalke was denied by the outside of the post in the opening moments of the second half, but he touched home Okai’s cross shortly afterwards to restore the Moles’ two goal advantage.

Again the Moles looked comfortable, but again defensive mistakes cost them, with King giving the ball away and substitute Dean Bown firing home.

Allen was commanding all afternoon, and did well to keep out Pogue’s volley, but the Hastings forward was not to be denied soon afterwards, touching home Sam Adams’ cross at the far post.

Momentum seemed to be on the visitors side now, as they rushed to get the re-start underway in search for the three points.

However parity lasted less than 60 seconds, with Chalke tiptoeing in at the far post to touch home Windsor’s cross and secure the three points.

The win moves Molesey above Hastings into 13th place, and they face attractive looking away fixtures to bottom placed Guernsey on Wednesday, followed by a trip to early pacesetters Lewes next Saturday.