SHAKERS starlet David Nugent could have played his way into Bury's starting line-up for their vital final three matches writes Chris Hall

The 16-year-old striker made his second substitute appearance against Brentford on Monday and proved the inspiration behind the shock 2-0 win, which resurrected Bury's survival hopes.

After the Good Friday defeat to basement rivals Northampton seemingly left them cut adrift in the bottom four, Bury were set for more heartache as their slender one-goal advantage looked in real danger as the Bees ominously swarmed forward.

But the gamble to replace crowd favourite Jon Newby with the inexperienced youngster paid off in style as Nugent's pace and enthusiasm turned the tide back in Bury's favour and even set up Chris Billy's second and match-winning strike.

Now he could be set to partner Newby for the remaining battles against Bristol City, Colchester and Peterborough after impressing manager and fellow front man Andy Preece.

"Dave Nugent came on and was a different class. He ran his socks off," said Preece.

"It would have been easier to throw myself on but I just thought we needed some pace up front and to get behind them. I felt David could do that because I had watched him in the reserves and I knew what he was capable of.

"It was a great set up for the second goal. He's still only 16 and has a lot to learn but sometimes these things are pushed on you through injuries and suspensions. I thought he handled the situation really well.

"He absolutely terrified them and he had that bit of luck when the ball just stuck to his feet through every challenge. He showed great pace and composure to set up the second goal."

It will be hard for Preece to restrict his new protogee to a bench place for the run-in as much needed goals will be hard to come by at Ashton Gate and London Road.

But there are other options open to the Bury boss as competition for places finally hots up, with a string of players returning from their sick beds.

Billy came through the full 90 minutes on Monday after a four-month absence, while David Borley, Matt Barrass and Nicky Hill have all recovered from knocks.

Bhaichung Bhutia should be in line for at least a bench place at Bristol on Saturday after spending most of the season on the sidelines, while Steve Redmond and Jamie Stuart are also close to comebacks and suspended pair Paul Reid and Sam Collins will be available from next week.