YORK City manager Gary Mills is refusing to label Jamie Reed his “super-sub” despite the striker’s continued heroics from the bench.

Reed has become the most prolific replacement in the Minstermen’s history after netting in both of the club’s last two games following his second-half introductions against Stockport and Gateshead.

Those efforts mean Reed has now hit the target eight times as a substitute, moving him one clear of previous record holder Richard Brodie.

Craig Farrell is next on the list, with five of his six strikes coming in successive matches – a hat-trick against Rushall Olympic being followed by a brace at Farsley Celtic.

Modern-day players are always, of course, likely to dominate such statistics with City’s first substitute – John Pearson – made in October 1965 and multiple replacements only introduced in 1987, when two were permitted, before three were then allowed 12 years later.

Reed’s record, though, is still worthy of further reflection.

Eight of his 18 goals for City have come as a substitute and his goals per minute ratio is considerably better when he is hailed from the bench than when he is a member of the Minstermen’s starting line-up.

As a susbtitute, the 24-year-old forward’s eight goals in 729 minutes have come at a rate of one every 91.125 minutes.

His ten goals from 1,622 minutes in City’s first XI, though, represent a return of one every 162.2 minutes.

But, even though the figures seem to support Mills’ decision to use Reed as a substitute in 29 of his 52 outings for the Bootham Crescent club, the City chief contests suggestions that the former Bangor City forward is better employed as an impact player.

In fact, one-time European Cup winner Mills is still smarting decades on from himself being described as the perfect man to warm a bench.

The City boss said: “I won’t say Jamie Reed is better as an impact player because the biggest insult I’ve ever had in football came from Ronnie Fenton – a coach at Nottingham Forest, who did an assessment on every player at the club and said that I was a fantastic sub because I could play anywhere.

“I don’t want to say the same about Jamie Reed – that he is better as a substitute – but, if we put our cards on the table, and Reedy knows this, he hasn’t done as well when I’ve started him in games.

“But, when he’s been brought on, something within him has seen him score goals and change games for us.

“For me, as a manager, it’s nice to know that I can call on somebody like that if we are 2-0 down.

“It’s the old David Fairclough super-sub scenario at Liverpool and he’s still living with that tag about 30 years after he retired.

“Some supporters seem to rate him, some don’t, but labelling Jamie Reed a super-sub would be disrespectful because he’s working hard at his game and has become a better player this season.

“He’s still learning and, if he keeps learning, I know he will have a good future in the game at whatever level he plays.”

Ben’s big bold impact

ON-LOAN Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson could celebrate his first three weeks at Bootham Crescent by scooping The Press Player of the Month honours for February.

The ex-England under-17 international leads the contest going into this afternoon’s final match of the month at Grimsby in the FA Trophy with his nearest rival Matty Blair two points behind.

Gibson picked up five points towards the standings on his debut in last weekend’s 2-1 home victory over Stockport, collecting three as our man of the match and an extra two after polling the most man-of-the-match votes from visitors to our website.

He was also the third-highest rated player in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Gateshead at Bootham Crescent, receiving another point for that distinction.

Scoring substitutes Matthew Blinkhorn (two) and Jamie Reed (one) were also recognised with points as The Press’ second and third-highest rated players against Stockport.

Man-of-the-match Chris Doig (three) and Reed (two), meanwhile, picked up the other points available against Gateshead.

To be in with a chance of presenting the February Player of the Month with his prize at a City home game, vote for your man of the match from today’s clash with Grimsby online.

The Press Player of the Year standings (do not include Player of the Month bonus points): Walker 28 points, Blair 25, Kerr 23, McLaughlin 18, Smith 17, Ingham 16, Meredith 15, Fyfield 14, Chambers 13, McGurk 10, Moké 9, Challinor 7, Parslow 7, Oyebanjo 6, Boucaud 5, Gibson 4, Reed 4, Doig 3, Blinkhorn 2, Pilkington 2, Henderson 1.

February Player of the Month standings: Gibson 6, Blair 4, Doig 3, Reed 3, Smith 3, Blinkhorn 2, McLaughlin 2, Kerr 1.

Goals: Blair 15, Walker 15, McLaughlin 10, Chambers 9, Reed 9, Challinor 3, Smith 3, Blinkhorn 2, Fyfield 2, Moké 2, Pilkington 2, Ashikodi 1, Boucaud 1, Henderson 1, McGurk 1, Meredith 1, own goal 1.

Assists: Chambers 11, McLaughlin 11, Blair 8, Meredith 7, Moké 7, Pilkington 7, Reed 6, Walker 6, Kerr 4, Challinor 3, Oyebanjo 2, Potts 2, Henderson 1, McGurk 1, Parslow 1, Smith 1.

Bad boys: Smith 9 yellow; McGurk 8 yellow cards; Kerr, Meredith both 5 yellow; Boucaud, Walker both 1 red, 3 yellow; Challinor, McLaughlin both 4 yellow; Parslow, Reed both 3 yellow; Fyfield, Moké, Oyebanjo all 2 yellow; Brown 1 red; Ashikodi, Chambers, Ingham all 1 yellow.

Dhesi’s double

VINNIE Dhesi’s double strike could not prevent York City juniors losing 4-3 at Football League Youth Alliance North-East Conference leaders Hull City.

Right-back Arran Hudson was also on target for Steve Torpey’s third-placed teenagers at their Wigginton Road home base.

The Minstermites are at home to Burton this morning, kick-off 11am.