FROM road accident victim to man of the match in the space of five days - there's never a dull moment for Shakers' striker Dave Nugent.

The 18-year-old star had to sit out Saturday's 4-0 defeat against Oxford United after a careless French lorrydriver ran him off Manchester Road two days earlier.

But the popular Scouser bounced back on Tuesday night and even won the sponsors' man of the match accolade at the end of the 0-0 home draw against league leaders Hull City.

All that, and he didn't know he was even playing until five minutes before the start of match preparations!

The talented youngster still suffers from nerves if he gets time to think too much about pulling on a first team shirt.

So Shakers boss Andy Preece now leaves it until the last minute before informing him he's in the starting line-up.

"I didn't know what to say when the manager said I was in," he admitted.

"But that's how I like it. I prefer to find out just before the game as it really gets me up for the match.

"After the accident last week I thought I'd be a while before I got another chance in the first team.

"On Friday morning I was sore all down one side but by the time training came along on Sunday it felt a lot better."

Nugent and co-striker Gareth Seddon gave the Hull defence plenty to think about on Tuesday even though the club's elusive 6,000th league goal didn't turn up

"I have been a bit low on confidence and needed a few games out of the first team," added Nugent.

"But it was great to get my chance again and I thought me and Gareth (Seddon) did well with the Colonel (Lee Connell) playing just behind us.

"We needed a good performance after Saturday's display and thankfully there was a big improvement."