Boss on Joe Howell's promotion to the first-team.

Steve Davis told the club’s official web-site that midfielder Joe Howell deserved to make his senior debut at Bury on Tuesday evening. Howell replaced Brad Inman with just over 10 minutes remaining at Gigg Lane and the 18-year-old helped us secure an away point thanks to a goalless draw.

The Alex boss told the club’s official web-site: “It wasn’t an ideal situation on Tuesday because the majority of our bench had played 90 minutes the day before.

“So when someone like George (Cooper) or Brad Inman run out of energy, you have to look to someone who has played the day before. That is what we are having to cope with because of the demands of the Under-21 fixtures but we get on with it.

“Saying that I know Joe will be delighted to have made his debut. He has played well for the Under-21s and deserved to step into the first team squad. It was between him and Callum (Ainley) on Tuesday to who I put on and I decided that it was time to give Joe a taste of it.

 He added: “Now he has to use that and continue to improve.”