Given his undoubted quality and predatory instincts in front of goal, it is a mystery why Spencer Weir-Daley has failed to navigate a return to the Football League.

Weir-Daley left Boston United and Blue Square Bet North last summer after declining to sign a new contract as he held out for a move to a higher level.

But after former Pilgrims bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst decided against reuniting him with Shaun Pearson and Anthony Church at Grimsby, Weir-Daley eventually landed a move to another Blue Square Bet Premier side, AFC Telford.

His career at the New Bucks Head never got off the ground and he was even loaned out to Buxton, of the Evo-Stik Premier League, to secure some much-needed match action.

Despite getting amongst the goals for Buxton, he still struggled to force his way into Andy Sinton's plans at Telford before being released by mutual consent.

But their loss has been Boston's gain.

After hearing of United joint-manager Jason Lee's interest, his mind was made up to return to the scene of one of the happiest spells of his career.

But Weir-Daley has no regrets about leaving the Pilgrims in the first place. Instead, he reflects on the last six months as a helpful learning experience.

"It was quite a hectic time to be honest, regarding my deal at Telford and leaving Boston," recalled Weir-Daley, who plundered 35 goals in 79 games during his first spell at York Street.

"I got there late in the summer and I was a bit behind on fitness.

"That was the reason I went to Buxton.

"I'll be honest, I was a bit sceptical about going there at first, but they were good people. They treated me well.

"I was only there for two weeks, but it was good. I enjoyed the games and I managed to score goals. I got four goals in three games.

"It was a lower level than I would have liked to have played, but it's what I needed at that time because I'd missed pre-season.

"I got back to Telford and I was playing catch-up as far as the team was concerned.

"By the time I got fit, they found themselves in a relegation battle.

"It was an awkward time, but I learned a lot about football in my time there.

"I learned a lot about things on and off the pitch, the way things work regarding contracts, plus it was nice to be back training full-time.

"Although it was an up and down time, it was a good experience.

"I left there on good terms and made some good friends. As far as I know, the manager (Sinton) had nothing but good things to say about me.

"But now I just want to put that behind me and move forward with my career."

Weir-Daley has wasted no time in moving forward. He needed just 20 minutes to get off the mark during his second spell with the Pilgrims, scoring the equaliser in United's 4-2 defeat at Dartford in the FA Trophy.

That goal, coupled with his excellent all-round performance, has been a rare positive during United's stuttering start to 2012, which has left their play-off hopes looking increasingly forlorn.

And ahead of Saturday's crucial home clash with Nuenaton Town, Weir-Daley says the best is yet to come.

"There's more to come from me," declared the former Lincoln City and Notts County forward.

"I'm happy I got 90 minutes under my belt (against Dartford). My fitness is good, I've been doing a lot of training, I'm just lacking a bit of match sharpness.

"I haven't played too much and my last match before Saturday was in December, then the one before that was at the end of October.

"Looking at the table, we're in that middle ground so the next two or three games are going to be vital."