WINSFORD United player-manager Lee Duckworth will be hoping Phil Parkinson, his counterpart at Nantwich Town, isn’t following too closely what’s happening at his former club.

If he is, then he can’t fail to be impressed by Nathan Cotterell’s progress.

The striker, who is also registered to play for the Northern Premier League outfit, increased his goal tally for the season to 13 in all competitions after scoring a second successive hat-trick on Tuesday.

His first, against New Mills at the weekend, helped Blues recover from the disappointment of an FA Vase exit seven days earlier.

The second, to sink Cammell Laird, sends his side up the Premier Division table.

Winsford have had to come from behind on both occasions, conceding inside 60 seconds at Birkenhead when Luke Camden – left unmarked at the far post - headed in from a corner.

Blues replied, but Cammell Laird custodian Ben Morrow reacted smartly to save Kyle Riley’s volley.

The visitors survived a fright before starting their fight-back, breathing a sigh of relief that Danny King fired wide when he found space in the penalty area.

Cotterell restored parity when he squeezed a shot through Morrow’s legs before the break, although Winsford were grateful to stand-in goalkeeper Andy Jones for keeping out another King effort ahead of the whistle.

Riley’s attempt was blocked by a defender early in the second period, while at the other end Paul Jewell miskicked when he was favourite to score.

Cotterell turned provider for Riley on 62 minutes, and Blues’ captain drilled with power past Morrow.

Jones was called into action again to thwart King, this time tipping over the midfielder’s header, before Cotterell put the game beyond the home team with a tap-in from close range.

And he added gloss to a fine individual performance when he was first to a rebound after Riley’s initial effort was diverted into his path by Morrow.

Cammell Laird | Morrow (GK), Lomax, Thomas (Carney 70), Brooks, Camden, Jewell (Campbell-Joseph 80), King, Ashton, Hayes (Milne 72), Christiansen, Byrne Subs not used Rooney, Edgar Goal Camden 1 Booked Lomax, Jewell

Winsford | Jones (GK), Hughes, Duckworth, Parr, Jenyons (Wady 70), Johnson, Collins (Mellor 61), Stott, Riley, Cotterell (Hatton 81), Clarke Sub not used Rothwell Goals Cotterell 39, 68, 71 Riley 62 Booked Parr, Collins, Riley, Mellor

Referee Alex Grey

Attendance 45

Additional reporting by Bob Astles