Midfielder John Kennedy was thrown straight in at the deep end by making his youth team debut just 24 hours after being introduced to his new team mates, but the 'work experience' signing from the Blackburn Rovers Academy proved an instant hit with both goals despite defeat to Bury at Springfields on Saturday.

Kennedy got onto the end of a second minute free-kick to give his side an early lead, and then netted again to equalise at 2-2 in the 75th minute after latching onto a through ball and slotting home past the advancing keeper. Bury, however, were determined opponents, and stole all three points with a winner just moments from the end after a seesaw battle.

Youth team coach Jamie Hoyland was encouraged with what he saw from his debutant - and also with some of the promising signs being shown by the stars of his departments at the moment. He explained:

"John met the lads on Friday morning ahead of the game and did very well - he certainly had a decent debut.

"Though he got the two goals, he's actually a midfielder, and it was mainly because he was the one out of the three we play in there that managed to get forward the most often. He got his rewards for his efforts with the goals.

"I've watched the game back on DVD and I reckon we've done better than the result suggests, it was just elementary schoolboy mistakes that have cost us the game.

"That's something we've got to cut out of our play, but there are other things that we're doing that I'm really pleased with. I didn't shout at the players after the game, but I just pointed out one or two things that we need to improve upon.

"There were one or two performances that were particularly good - I won't name names because I don't like to go too overboard, but those lads know who they are and can be pleased with their efforts. There are a few players performing to a decent standard at the moment, which I'm pleased with, and there are also one or two training with the first team, which is good news.

"I'm trying my best to rest those players from the youth team when I can, because they're involved in the reserve games in midweek and we like to try and keep them fresh so that the manager can see them play at their full potential. Getting players pushing through to train with the first team is what it's all about, and I'm pleased that we've got a couple doing that this season.

"We've been disappointed with some of the results, but it's about development and we're certainly happy that things seem to be coming on nicely in that regard."

Meanwhile, the youth team's home game against Carlisle - originally postponed earlier this month - has been re-arranged for Saturday 24th January 2009 at Springfields, kick-off 10.30am.