TWO-GOAL Lee Nogan was paired with Lee Bullock in attack in City's 2-1 win at Rochdale with on-loan Sheffield Wednesday striker Jon Shaw on the substitutes' bench.

With Jon Parkin unavailable because of a hamstring injury, which should clear up in time for the home game against Carlisle United on January 10, the City player-manager opted for midfielder Bullock up front.

Brass said: "Wherever you ask Lee Bullock to do a job for you he will do it. He's attracting interest from other clubs and rightly so as he's got talent.

"He can play in an abundance of positions and I wanted to give Jon Shaw a rest. He's new to first-team football and is just tired but he has done extremely well since he's come in.

"He did well when he came on for the last 15 minutes against Rochdale but it was my decision to change it from the start and thankfully it paid off.

"I'm sure he will have a big part to play in the future for us and when we come back to play Carlisle we will have him firing on all cylinders and getting back in the team."

Nogan's second goal secured maximum points for City after Brass had conceded a penalty for pulling a player over for the second successive game.

Home substitute Kevin Townson netted from the spot and Brass said afterwards: "The referee had said we were pushing and shoving and then, when the ball came in, we fell on top of each other and he gave a penalty. I have given away two in two games but that's life.

"Sometimes you get the decision and sometimes you don't. I thought the crowd did well and influenced it but it's gone and it's the way we adapted afterwards that pleased me the most."

Brass added that he was pleased to welcome back Richard Hope into defence after his four-match absence through suspension.

Hope, Brass and Chris Smith have not been on a losing side during the eight league games they have played together this campaign and the manager said: "He gives us balance because he's left-sided. I am happier when I have Richard and Chris alongside me and I am sure they would echo that."

But City's first-choice defensive trio will be broken up again for the January 17 trip to Northampton as Smith's caution against Rochdale means he will be suspended.

Captain Darren Edmondson will also miss the Sixfields visit after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, December 29, 2003