SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: A TOBY Colbourne hat-trick ensured Westbury United's promotion bid stayed on track on Saturday against lowly Minehead.

The striker has now scored 21 goals in 20 appearances for Westbury this season and his profligacy has helped his side move up to sixth in the Screwfix first division, with nine games in hand over leaders Bristol Manor Farm.

Colbourne left Meadow Lane for Dr Martens' side Clevedon Town during the Christmas period but returned after only a couple of matches and manager Derek Graham admits his return was a big boost.

He said: "Toby scores goals for fun and he proved that when he went to Clevedon.

"I was devastated when he left and was hoping he could not stay away. He is massively important for us as he proved on Saturday."

Westbury have been hit by injuries in recent weeks but have still managed to go the last five games unbeaten, winning four of them.

Saturday saw the return of Jerad O'Pray and Mark Pearce to the starting line up with Steve Perkins and Lee Carpenter coming on as substitutes and Graham admits their return could not have come at a better time.

He said: "We have gone the last few games without five of our first-team regulars and we have still kept winning.

"It is likely that all of them will be back fit for tomorrow's match and it will be like having five new signings.

"At this stage of the season it is brilliant that we can bring such good players back into the side."

Westbury started well on Saturday and were only denied taking an early lead by Shepton Mallett goalkeeper Sam Hutchings.

Nick Beales and Colbourne were both denied by the keeper as the hosts looked to make their dominance tell.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes when Colbourne got on the end of a Matt Burton cross and headed home from close range.

The score remained the same until halfway through the second half when Colbourne latched onto a ball played over the top and beat Hutchings with a cool finish from just inside the box.

Colbourne completed his hat-trick on 85 minutes, firing a powerful shot home after beating three defenders with a mazy run.

Graham was satisfied with the performance but refused to put any pressure on his players.

He said: "We have played better but we did enough. We actually missed a lot of chances and should really have won by more.

"At the moment all we are looking at is getting in the top five and then once we get there we can look at climbing into a promotion position."

By Andy Cryer