A brilliant hat-trick by Marcos Pereira's guided Vasco to a 5-1 victory over Mohun Bagan -- their biggest win -- in an eighth National Football League match, at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Friday.

The Brazilian ace, who played his best match since joining Vasco from Mohun Bagan, scored in the 16th, 34th and 50th minutes) after Denis Cabral gave Vasco an early lead in the fifth minute.

Substitute Levy Coelho then rounded off the tally with a stunning header to complete Bagan's worst defeat this season.

Bagan, who raised their game in the second half and played with application and urgency, pulled one back in the 48th minute when Renedy Singh scored through a penalty after Vasco's John Dias bought down Ashim Biswas inside the box.

The victory put Vasco above the relegation zone with 23 points from 18 matches while Bagan continued to hover around the danger zone with 19 points from 18 matches.