CHRIS Brass says he is willing to put his trust in youth after handing 16-year-old Jacob Bedeau his professional debut on Saturday.

The defender, who can play either centre-back or left-back, was introduced at half time against Millwall in place of the injured Leon Barnett.

With the game poised on a knife-edge at 0-0, the youngster came on at left-back and gave a good account of himself against tricky wingers Shane Ferguson and former Shaker David Worrall.

Given his impressive second-half display, Brass says he will not be shy in playing the talented teenager again and is happy to open the door for other members of the under-18s squad eager to make their mark.

“We have worked with a lot of them this year and we trust them,” Brass said.

“We wouldn’t put them in if we didn’t trust them.

"We have seen against Millwall that they are more than adequate and more than able.

“There are some good ones and they will get an opportunity, we have just got to make sure it’s the right time.

“Jacob was fine, he just accepted it and got on with. He’s Cool Hand Luke.

"For a 16-year-old it’s a big ask in a big game, but I think he did well considering the circumstances and he’ll get better for that.”

Saturday's squad included five players who have come through the Shakers’ youth ranks.

Callum Styles, whose debut on the last day of last season resulted in a three-point deduction because he was unregistered, was named on the bench, as was Anthony Dudley and George Miller.

Midfielder Scott Burgess made his second start of the season on right of midfield and he was the architect for James Vaughan’s second goal.

The 19-year-old's performance was a clear positive in what was a desperately disappointing 3-2 defeat.

And Brass, along with fellow caretaker boss Ryan Kidd, the club's head of youth, are really backing the younger lads to stake their claim for a first-team place.

“Another one that pleased me was Scott Burgess,” Brass added. “He did a very good job against Sheffield United but fans probably did not see just what his ability was until Saturday, when they will have seen it in abundance.

“Something that we are good at is understanding when to put them in and when to pull them out.”