MATT Gilks backed Billy Crellin to bounce back after dusting off the gloves to help Wanderers to a big win over Salford last night.

The player-coach, 38, played his first game in nearly 14 months as boss Ian Evatt took his Fleetwood loanee out of the firing line against the Ammies

And Gilks impressed, making some crucial stops as a strike from a returning Eoin Doyle and a Jordan Turnbull own goal handed the Whites an impressive 2-0 victory.

“Billy’s a young lad and despite what’s happened he’s a fantastic goalkeeper,” said Gilks, also a team-mate of Crellin’s on the Fylde coast.

“I went out on a limb to get him here because I worked with him at Fleetwood, he’s got every attribute.

“Let’s not forget he’s 20, he’s learning, I did the same, going into a team and then coming out again.

“It’s part of the learning curve and he’ll come back stronger.

"He’s got fantastic people around him at Fleetwood as well as the staff here. He’s in good hands and he’ll bounce back.”

As for his own fine display, Gilks added to Sky post-match: “It’s because the cameras are here I think!

“I’ve been training. I came in as a player-coach, and the gaffer wanted me to up my training.

“It’s what I’ve done for 20-odd years so it’s nothing new to me.

“I’ll probably be sore in the morning, a few aches and pains, but I love it. As long as I can keep going I will do.”