Lee Bullock reckons City will benefit from the recent reality check.

Saturday's amazing fightback at Accrington Stanley put paid to the mini-wobble that had seen Stuart McCall's side pick up only one point from their previous three outings.

But midfielder Bullock, currently sidelined by a knee injury, believes that the little stutter may not have been a bad thing as it refocused the team's efforts.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus he said: "We needed to put the last couple of weeks behind us, although nobody was panicking about it.

"But I think everyone had got a bit carried away when we went top. Suddenly we were all thinking 'this is brilliant', the fans were packing in the ground and we were winning games.

"Then you just get brought back down to reality for a while and you remember that you're in League Two for a reason. You've got to graft to get out of this division.

"It's not the team who play the prettiest football who do well but the one prepared to put their foot in and give it everything.

"It's nice when we do knock the ball around and get it out to Omar (Daley) and Joe (Colbeck) but there are also times when you need to launch the ball 80 yards and put the defence under pressure."

Bullock was upset to miss out on the trip to East Lancashire and a return to the ground where he first stepped out in City colours on New Year's Day. But that is nothing compared with his frustration at again being denied the chance to play next week at Darlington, his local ground.

Bullock was sidelined for the 3-1 win in the north-east in March after undergoing a hernia operation. And he is gutted at the prospect of being condemned to the stands once again on Monday for the televised clash.

He added: "Darlington's ground is only ten minutes from where I live so I can't believe I'm missing it again.

"I'd love to have played there, especially with it being on Sky as well, but I can't afford to take any risks and rush back.

"If the knee is not right, then I'm not going to take any chances because it would do the team no favours."

Bullock faces up to a further month out of action with the injury he suffered at Shrewsbury. What makes it even more galling is that, like the unfortunate Chris Brandon, the problem happened in such innocuous circumstances.

"I wouldn't mind so much if it was in a 50-50 tackle and you've both dived in. That's part of the game.

"But to twist the knee ligament because the ground just gave way under me is harder to take.

"I'd said in the summer that I wanted to get through a whole season injury-free so something like this happening so early is a nightmare. But you've got to put it behind you.

"I've been on the exercise bike in the gym and believe me it's boring but I know it's all part of making progress."

Bullock's absence has given Rangers youngster Dean Furman the opportunity to shine. The South African has certainly looked the part and McCall is talking of extending his loan for the rest of the season.

Bullock said: "It shows there is competition throughout the entire squad. We've got a couple of players for every position, as the right back slot has proved, so the strength in depth is definitely there.

"That's better for the club, although it doesn't feel so great when you're not one of those in the starting 11."