WESTBURY United boss Paul Brickley believes Saturday's two-goal hero Paul Beavers has the ability to step up to a higher level of football.

Brickley watched in admiration as the young striker capped a powerful display with two well-taken goals to earn Westbury a hard fought point.

After Wayne Wheeler's low strike had cancelled out Barry Yeo's opener, Beavers gave the visitors the lead after 33 minutes when he coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Danny Turton after racing clear.

Goals from Ross Middleton and Yeo restored Ilfracombe's lead but with 20 minutes remaining Beavers cut in from the left before unleashing a fierce strike into the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser.

Brickley said: "Paul Beavers had another exceptional game for us. He scored two good goals and was a constant threat to their defence.

"He could play at a much higher level than he is playing but he is more than happy playing for Westbury United.

"If he put his mind to it, I believe he would be very capable of playing for Chippenham Town in the Southern League, but he is a Westbury boy."

Beavers, 20, has been playing at Meadow Lane for the last seven seasons but until the start of this campaign never wanted to make the step up from the reserve side.

Since the resignation of former manager Derek Graham, Beavers has been persuaded to make himself available for the first time and Brickley believes he has made a big difference.

He said: "When I was appointed manager my main priority was to try and bring the reserve and first teams together.

"I brought a few of his friends up from the reserves, hoping he would come in as well, and they have all done well for us.

"He is definitely one of the most talented players we have at this club."

Brickley was delighted with the point his side earned on Saturday, although admitted they could have stolen all three points towards the end.

He said: "Ilfracombe are a very, very strong side and we did well to come back after going behind twice.

"I said before the game I would have settled for a point but in the end we missed a few good chances and I went away a bit disappointed we didn't come away with three points.

"The players were terrific again and showed a lot of character and determination.

"We went into the match with a depleted side but our young squad showed they more than up to the job."