A TIMELY boot up the backside paid off for Allan Davies with his best display of the season against Hucknall.

The full-back responded to a few harsh words from manager John Barton following the Bath City defeat and admits the jolt came at just the right time.

An ankle operation and a spell on the bench had hampered his attempts to get match fit but a rejuvenated Davies is now looking forward to reminding City fans of his undoubted abilities as an attacking full-back.

"In the summer I had the opportunity to take up a player/coach role but turned it down because I like playing for John and I thought City had a good chance this year and I wanted to be involved," he said.

"I've started slowly and been disappointed with my form to date.

"The first couple of games I didn't do too badly but then I hit a brick wall after coming back from a long lay off.

"I'd started the season on the bench and with reserve team games clashing it was difficult fitness-wise but hopefully Saturday was the start.

"My game has always been based on getting forward - John Barton knows that and that's what I'm encouraged to do when I play.

"Mentally though when you are not 100 per cent fit you are on the backfoot from the start. But Graham Selby said to me on Saturday if I was going to blow up, I might as well blow up after a good hour, rather than trying to just get through 90 minutes and that's the approach I employed and it worked a lot better. Saturday's match came at the right time for me, aided by a kick up the backside from the manager, and I responded and long may it continue.

"Pat Lyons and I should have enough about us to create problems for any team in this league."

Despite a growing catalogue of injuries, Davies is confident City can continue to challenge.

"I haven't seen a better team than us though the Bath defeat proved that anybody can beat anybody in this league and you cannot go into any game taking anything for granted," he said.

As Davies strives to recapture his best form and juggle the demands of work, family and football he could be forgiven for getting a bit jaded with the sport but now he's back in the team that is the furthest thing from his mind.

"I wouldn't swap it for the world," he said. "Anybody who has got the chance to play at a decent level should never turn their nose up at it."