THE return of top scorer Gavin Williams will be a major boost for Hereford United as they travel to Scarborough in the Nation-wide Conference tomorrow (3pm).

A one-match suspension ruled Williams out of last week's FA Cup defeat at Woking, and Director of Football Graham Turner believes that the young striker, who has five goals to his name this season, was badly missed.

He said: "Without a doubt we missed him last week. He has been playing very well and holding the ball well up front."

Williams returns to the squad along with recent recruit James Quiggin, who was cup-tied for the Woking clash.

However, veteran striker Jimmy Quinn remains suspended for another two games, while winger Paul Parry and striker Andy Moran are ruled out through injury.

Bad weather prevented defender Paul Sturgess having another run-out for the reserves in midweek to continue his comeback from a long injury absence.

Turner says it is vital for the Bulls to get back to winning ways tomorrow at mid-table Scarborough, particularly in view of the fact that the top two -- Rushden and Diamonds and Yeovil Town -- play each other at Nene Park.

The Bulls are 11 points behind leaders Yeovil, and Turner said: "We have to make sure we start to close the gap on those two. The ideal result at Rushden would probably be a draw."

Turner is confident that the Bulls will have got over their FA Cup heartbreak at Woking, when they largely dominated but couldn't score.

"It was disappointing but that is over and done with now and we have a tough one coming up at Scarborough tomorrow. They have got some good players in their side.

"I am just looking for a good performance. We are capable of going to Scarborough and getting a win if we perform like we have in some of our other away trips."

However, heavy rain in North Yorkshire has left the McCain Stadium pitch very waterlogged, and the match is expected to be subject to a pitch inspection today or tomorrow.

Hereford (from): Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, Elmes, Giddings, McIndoe, Hanson, Piearce, Baker, Gardiner, Wall, Williams, Quiggin.