Cumbrian striker Ryan Bowman smashed a League One hat-trick as he continues his successful return from a recent heart scare.

The Carlisle-born striker bagged a treble in Shrewsbury's 4-1 win over Cambridge.

Tha former Carlisle United man scored in the sixth, 73rd and 83rd minutes in the hosts' emphatic win.

It came just two weeks after the 29-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering palpitations during a game against Ipswich.

Bowman was allowed to resume training in subsequent days after tests thankfully did not show up a serious problem.

And the Cumbrian produced an impressive display to fire Steve Cotterill's side to victory on Saturday, scoring with left foot, right foot and his head.

"It's always nice to score a goal when you're a striker but it's even better when you score three," Bowman told his club's website.

"I've never scored a 'perfect' hat-trick before so I'm over the moon."

Bowman, who started out at his home-city club after coming through the Blues youth ranks before building his career away from Brunton Park, also paid tribute to doctors who treated him after his heart episode.

The Cambridge game was his third appearance and second start since the Ipswich game, when he had been substituted in the first half with a racing heart rate.

"I am ok," said the former Exeter and Motherwell frontman. "The doctors down at Ipswich and in Shrewsbury were brilliant with me and looked after me all night long.

"They did all the tests and made sure I was ok - I am very thankful for that. The nurse and cardiologists were happy to send me away once I'd had the shock. I have a device on me now to monitor how I go.

"I've had a lot of messages from friends, family, ex team-mates and players that I haven't even played with. The fans sent me a lot of messages and I appreciate them all."

Former Carlisle left-back Jack Iredale scored Cambridge's consolation goal.