Becky Langley's side put five past Blackburn Rovers Women, with top scorer Shania Hayles stealing the headlines with her second hat-trick of the season and netting her 15th goal in the process.

Goals from Deanna Cooper and an outstanding lob from Freya Gregory helped United pick up their ninth league win of the campaign, albeit Tyler Tolland ensured there was no clean sheet after converting a late penalty.

After a sluggish start at Ewood Park, United took the lead in the 11th minute thanks to two quality moments.

Demi Stokes was allowed space out wide, and she duly picked out Hayles with an inch-perfect cross, with United's leading scorer making no mistake in heading over Poppy Soper for her 13th league goal of the season.

Tia Primmer was proving to be a threat in behind for Blackburn with her pace pushing her through on goal, but after a wide touch towards the byline, Claudia Moan stood firm and palmed away her effort.

United registered their second shot on target of the game with just five minutes left to play in the first half when Gregory cut in from the right following a short corner. However, after she unleashed a zipping effort towards the near post, Soper got down well to keep the deficit at one goal.

Despite a slow first-half display, Newcastle came flying out of the blocks after the restart and looked set to double their advantage.

Lois Joel picked out Hayles, who was left unmarked in the six-yard box, but a point-blank save from Soper denied her a second of the afternoon.

However, minutes later and Gregory made it 2-0 after she took her time on the left wing before, from what looked like an impossible angle, delicately floating the ball over Soper's head and into the far corner.

As the game ticked over the hour mark, Newcastle really stamped their authority by scoring a third. Fresh from getting on the scoresheet herself, Gregory whipped in a dangerous corner to the back post and Cooper snuck in to head past the helpless Soper.

Rovers weren't out of the game, however, as Newcastle failed to clear a free kick which eventually bounced to the edge of the area and sat up nicely for Chloe Williams, but her volley was well tipped over by Moan.

Newcastle's dominance from set pieces continued when Gregory, yet again, delivered a dangerous inswinging corner to the six-yard box, and Hayles was bravest to flick home.

Hayles knew she was in a tight race for the league's golden boot, and netting her second hat-trick of the season certainly did her plenty of favours. A beautifully timed reverse pass from Joel found the Jamaica international in her stride and she then curled her effort into the top corner.

The Lasses' top scorer for the season almost nabbed a fourth when Soper failed to claim a high Charlotte Wardlaw cross, but Hayles couldn't manage to keep her effort down with the goal at her mercy.

There was a special moment in the 88th minute for the club's record appearance maker, Grace Donnelly, who made her Championship debut on what was the final game before she leaves the club.

Alas, it wasn't to be a clean sheet for Donnelly as Liv Watt brought down Crompton, who was through on goal, allowing Toland to convert from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan (Grace Donnelly 88), Charlotte Wardlaw, Hannah Greenwood (Liv Watt 59), Deanna Cooper, Demi Stokes (c), Rachel Furness, Lois Joel, Emily Murphy (Katie Barker 79), Beth Lumsden (Jasmine McQuade 59), Shania Hayles, Freya Gregory

Subs not used: Hannah Hawkins, Amy Andrews, Poppy Pritchard