GILLINGHAM'S stop-gap striker Nyron Nosworthy was informed of his new role just hours before starring in Monday's 1-0 home win against Bradford City.

Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler, who had intended giving youngster Jones Awuah a first league start following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Burnley, had second thoughts over the weekend following numerous telephone conversations with coach Wayne Jones.

When right-back Nosworthy arrived at the ground on Monday, he was told by his manager about his new role.

"I was surprised but I didn't mind," said Nosworthy who had played up front during the reign of former manager Peter Taylor. "Wherever I play I will always give 100 per cent and the manager knows that."

Hessenthaler explained: "When I received the report on Bradford it was clear that they were vulnerable to pace at the back. After numerous conversations with Wayne Jones over the weekend, we decided to push Nyron up front alongside Mamady Sidibe.

"At one stage I considered playing Chris Hope as a striker but Nyron's pace was the key to him playing up front.

"He caused City problems and I was pleased for him. He's got bags of energy, power and is full of tricks. I thought that he and Big Mama would cause them lots of problems and, thankfully, it worked out that way."

Nosworthy, with one goal to his credit in 128 games, went close to increasing his tally with a shot that struck a post.

In the end it was Paul Shaw's 13th goal of the season, scored in the 29th minute, that secured victory and enabled Gillingham to end an unhappy sequence of six games without a win.