Peter Jackson has hailed Lee Bullock for showing the spirit needed to dig City out of the mire.

Bullock did not kick a ball in Jackson’s first seven games in charge but he has recently been drafted in at centre half, responding with a string of solid displays in his new role.

Jackson said: “I’m delighted with him. He’s come in at the back and I thought in the second half on Monday he was our best player. Bullock can play numerous positions and I like his attitude. He’s been patient.

“I wanted to give everybody here a chance and he was probably the last one to get that but I’m pleased with the way he has come in and taken it – he’s done a terrific job.”

City have been given an extra day off after the win over Aldershot all but rubber-stamped their League Two survival. The interim boss added: “They gave me absolutely everything. Jon Worthington could not walk after the game and Jake Speight came off because he was exhausted – that’s how it should be.

“The mess has been going on here since August and Accrington summed up where this group of players are in the table.

“The most important thing for me was the response from what Colin (Cooper) and I have been saying to them. It would have been worrying if there hadn’t been one but Monday was such a big result for us.

“I thought the opposition keeper was man of the match - and there can’t be too many games when that has happened this season.”