Do it again

But Andy King has challenged the Scotsman to prove he has all the necessary midfield tools in his locker to earn a regular slot.

The 24-year-old struck two goals in the space of 90 seconds in Town's 2-1 victory at Valley Parade yesterday.

Injuries handed Smith his chance and he seized it as King's men survived the late dismissal of Jerel Ifil to complete the double over Colin Todd's side.

The County Ground chief had a simple message for his match-winner after the game.

He said: "I'd say to Grant Smith do it again. It's as simple as that.

"He's set a standard and that performance deserves another chance.

"Don't knock on my door and tell me you're a good player. Show me you're a good player.

"We know his qualities, we know his left foot, probably the best at the club.

"It's the other part of his game that has to work as well. You have to work box to box, win your tackles and headers and be better than the opposition. He did that against Bradford and keeps his place.

"He has staked a very good claim."

Smith himself only found out he was playing on the day and his preparation was hardly ideal, although that can be blamed in part on Meryl Streep!

He said: "I didn't even think I'd be on the bench so it was a nice surprise. The second half couldn't have been any better.

"I think Bradford were six points ahead of us so it pulls us back into it.

"For the first goal Rory has set it up nicely and I've sort of side-footed it.

"It's one of those which could go anywhere but fortunately it's nestled in the back of the net.

"Straight after that I struck it in the bottom corner. But because it came so soon after the first I didn't have a clue what to do celebration-wise.

"I think I've played in three different positions. Hopefully I've done okay."

One swallow doesn't make a summer though and Smith is well aware that he will need to catch the manager's eye again.

He said: "It's up to me now to do it Saturday if I'm involved again.

"It seems as if I'm always involved in the big ones. The boys were laughing today saying that Bradford was a big ground and there I was involved again. Sheffield Wednesday will be a big one as well."

Smith, just back from a three-match ban, revealed the 'secret' to his double blast.

He said: "After a run I stayed up late to watch a film, a Meryl Streep thing, I couldn't get to sleep.

"I'd have gone to bed early if I'd known I was playing. Maybe that's the way to do it? Go running and then watch a late film?

"They say a week's a long time in football and although I was available on Saturday, I wasn't even on the bench and the boys had come off the back of two victories."

Smith's performance was a plus, injuries to Matt Hewlett, Steve Robinson and a likely two-match ban for Jerel Ifil were most certainly minuses on an afternoon where Wigan boss Paul Jewell was an interested spectator.

Ifil was due to learn his fate today although his imminent loss should coincide with Sean O'Hanlon's return to fitness.