That takes Wild’s tally to 15 goals in the last 12 league games unbeaten for the West Sussex club, who sit fourth in the play-off spots with three games to go.

Captain Connor Cody returned at centre back after missing the Easter Monday home victory against Littlehampton with Emmett Dunn on the bench in an otherwise unchanged starting XI.

Matt Holness, who grabbed the Deres’ consolation goal, whipped a cross over in the opening minute which Kieran Magee grabbed.

Then Wild flashed a shot just wide at the other end and Rob Hutchings got fouled as the hosts pressed again.

Referee Ciaran Fidler brandished an early yellow card to an Erith player and Josh Clack struck the set-piece off the wall for a corner which Joe Moore delivered too deep.

Next Mo Jammeh linked up with Wild only to be flagged offside and Macey Malyon broke down the left before crossing towards Dan Parkinson who couldn’t profit.

A long ball from Curtis Da Costa picked out Isaac Bello who combined with Clack and Jammeh for a shot which keeper Jordan Gillmore turned out for a corner kick that Hutchings took and Gillmore claimed.

Moore then did well to deal with a long clearance and find Magee who played it forward for a super first touch but no shot up top.

Other chances came and went in a slightly scrappy spell with Bello getting a strike off that was all too easy for Gillmore on 17.

(Photos: Neil Holmes)

The first goal came a minute later though when a super Moore pass teed Wild up for his first of the afternoon.

Bello made it 2-0 just five minutes later latching on to Wild’s clever knock-on.

Chichester piled on further pressure as Jammeh and Bello combined to provide Wild with a header he steered out for a goal kick.

Clack then earned Chi a corner which Hutchings delivered. The ball finally came to Clack for a half-chance which ended up being recycled.

Joe Clarke and Hutchings were next involved in a decent move that finally got snuffed out and turned back to Gillmore.

Magee, who won the league’s Golden Glove for his clean sheet exploits in March, then delivered a long kick to Wild who got a shot of sorts off.

Just before the half hour mark however, Erith & Belvedere did what no other opponent had been able to do in around 900 minutes of football as Holness found the back of the net, and the nine-game stretch without conceding was gone.

A couple of minutes later Magee claimed a Matt Neary cross at the second time of asking before both Wild and Clarke battled for the ball in the other half.

Neary got away without a caution for foul on Moore and Jammeh hit an effort just off target.

Then the visitors somehow cleared off the line on 37 for a corner which Hutchings sent over for a Cody chance and minutes later Bello needed more on his effort.

Clack then had a go which nicked off a defender for a corner. Hutchings took again and Wild bagged his second three minutes before the break to give Chi a 3-1 lead.

Hutchings got done down the right 60 seconds after the restart as the away side moved the ball up the wing but Da Costa intercepted and headed back safely to Magee.

And then Wild grabbed his hat-trick, calmly capitalising on a defensive mistake and slotting beyond Gillmore much to the delight of the home fans.

Ethan Prichard replaced Bello on 53 minutes before Wild had another go and Gillmore saved from Clack.

Hutchings took the resulting corner short to Moore who found Clarke for a header which was cleared.

Da Costa was then impeded trying to shepherd the ball back to his goalie and the visitors also rang the changes bringing on Khemani Aiyanyo for Neary.

Two free-kicks came and went and Wild headed over before Magee claimed a Dave Martin cross.

Aiyanyo opened things up with a bit of skill and a jinking run only to be halted by Clarke’s heavy tackle.

Clarke then tried a long ranger on 62 which wasn’t far wide.

Prichard also hit a blind one wide on the turn before linking up with Clarke for a fierce shot.

Wild then struck one off target too and the Chi back line had an Erith corner to clear.

Neat play from Wild set Prichard up for a cross that was just beyond Clack and Ryan Davidson won a corner which Hutchings took and Wild headed home in the 74th minute.

Wild left the field on 76 to tumultuous applause as Lloyd Rowlatt came on for him, and Kaleem Haitham replaced Jammeh in a double substitution.

The last goal came with seven minutes of normal time to go following a slick move. Hutchings found Clack who unselfishly teed Prichard up for his 15th goal in all competitions.

It might have been seven moments later when Haitham’s cross was inches away from fellow sub Rowlatt.

Malyon’s long ranger then caused Magee little trouble and Clack couldn’t pick a teammate with his delivery.

Prichard had a decent turn and shot on 89; Haitham almost got in; and Clack somehow missed at the death.

So, Chi might have conceded for the first league game in ten matches, but have scored 27 goals in that spell. Their last three encounters are all against Kent teams.

Ashford United away are up next on Saturday 13th April (Kick Off 3pm).

Chichester – Magee, Davidson, Hutchings, Moore, Da Costa, Cody, Clack, Clarke, Wild, Jammeh, Bello. Subs – (Dunn, Munt, Prichard, Rowlatt, Haitham).