Six hours stuck on a coach is not many people’s idea of fun.

But Peter Thorne lapped up every minute of City’s hike to Torquay last week.

After so long out, the veteran striker wondered if he would ever get the chance to be part of the squad again. So he wasn’t grumbling one bit as the miles slowly ticked by.

He said: “I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the buzz of being with the lads again, even though the journey took so long.

“I didn’t think the gaffer would take me so I was just so pleased to be back involved. And the result certainly made the trip home go a lot quicker.”

Thorne’s continued absence has been a major factor in City’s disappointing season. Any team would suffer from losing their top scorer from the past two years.

He may still be a way off full fitness – and the absence of a midweek reserve game hasn’t helped – but Thorne’s impact was immediate.

City scored both goals on his “watch” and the 36-year-old weighed in with the assisting header for the stoppage-time winner.

Thorne would happily perform a similar cameo role against Bury on Saturday.

He added: “I know I won’t be starting for a while. I can play reserve games and get a bit more first-team football from the bench as I go along.

“I was made up for Evo (Gareth Evans) getting those two goals but I must admit I was a bit disappointed not to come away with a couple myself because I had the chances.

“But we finished on such a high. Another game on Tuesday would have been perfect for the lads – though I don’t think I would have been ready.”

City will be well prepared for Alan Knill’s third-placed Shakers after running them close at Gigg Lane last month.

“Bury are flying after beating Rochdale the other night but we can take a lot from last week. It’s also helped that we played them recently.

“A lot of times you’ll play a team in form and go in with a bit of fear but the lads only played them the other week so know they can match them.”

Thorne, meanwhile, remains tantalisingly three goals short of 200 for his career. But there is no rehearsed celebration waiting to be revealed.

He said: “I could have got it last week but I’m not the sort of lad to prepare anything like that – you won’t see me stripping off!

“At one stage, I thought I might not get another chance because of the hamstring. It’s just fantastic to be back out there and part of it again.”