How Aldershot will have wished the fixture was postponed, as league leaders Accrington Stanley's own second-half goal deluge consigned the Shots to a severe pounding.
Goals from Ian Craney, substitute Andrew Mangan and double strike from Gary Roberts for Stanley was too much for the home side, who could only reply through substitute Leroy Griffiths' consolation.
Aldershot made a bright start with a good passage of early play, Ryan Scott saw his header cleared off the line by Leam Richardson after only three minutes.
The Shots continued the pressure on Robert Elliot's goal and two minutes later, Nick Crittenden caused panic in the Stanley defence, but his shot flew wide.
Darren Barnard, constantly in support of the Shots' attack, had a shot which flashed wide, and then on 26 minutes, he let rip from 35 yards, but his thunderbolt strike was met by a fine Elliot save.
Stanley had up until that point been able to play a containing game. Andy Todd almost opened the scoring for Stanley on 27 minutes. Ryan Williams was dispossessed deep in the visitors half, with Todd's shot after his run from deep striking Nikki Bull's upright.
Bull then saved low down from David Brown. The best move of the half deserved a goal for Stanley, when Roberts and Todd exchanged passes, with Todd's shot going just wide of Aldershot goal.
Craney put Stanley ahead five minutes after the re-start when he latched on to Romauld Boco's through pass and beat the exposed Bull.
Stanley doubled their advantage just past the hour mark when Todd's pass found its way past a static Shots defence, with Roberts netting from close in.
Five minutes later, Stanley's third arrived, after Tobi Jinadu's weak header back to Bull was despatched by Mangan.
Only Griffiths' hustle and bustle style caused Stanley problems and he scored on 71 minutes from Crittenden's cross.
Stanley restored their three-goal advantage 11 minutes from time when Roberts squeezed in his second after more poor Shots defending.
The only blemish on an excellent night for Stanley was Richardson, who got his marching orders late on.