CITY match-changer Kyel Reid paid a personal tribute towards James Meredith after reviving their left-sided double act at Rochdale.

Reid electrified the Bantams in the second half to pave the way for Saturday's 3-1 win that dispelled the growing gloom from successive defeats.

But the on-loan winger was keen to praise the long-term understanding with full back Meredith, who has now joined up with Australia for their World Cup qualifier in Jordan.

Reid said: "There's no better feeling for me to come back in this team and get a win.

"I knew when the game settled down it would open up a bit more. That meant opportunities for me to get on the ball and make things happen.

"But the partnership Meredith and I have had; it's like I never left. I've missed him because he's a tremendous left back. He's got great attributes and quality in the way he defends as well as going forward.

"We've got an understanding from knowing how each other plays. We can get each other going. We spoke about it on Friday and just before the game. It felt like we'd never parted."

Reid lasted 84 minutes and his pace was a huge factor in seeing off Dale after they had cancelled out Lee Evans' opener just before the break.

Devante Cole scored the second after excellent build-up play from Steve Davies, before Oliver Lancashire headed an Evans cross into his own net.

But it was Reid, borrowed for an initial month from Preston, who was being lauded by the large away following.

The winger said: "There's no better feeling than having fans that love you and show you that great support. It gives you extra energy and makes you want to impress and excite them even more.

"The gaffer's given me the licence to do what I want in the final third of the pitch, as long as I'm doing the defensive part as well.

"I can just get on the ball and try to make something happen for the strikers. It's just great to be playing football with a smile on my face.

"I feel fit and fine and could have played the whole game. But I knew with the games coming up, I need to try and save my legs as much as I can."

Phil Parkinson may opt to manage Reid carefully to avoid putting any extra strain on his knee following the cruciate injury that prematurely ended his previous time at the club.

But the winger is up for playing against Barnsley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tomorrow night.

"It's important to keep the momentum going and get that level of consistency for the team as well as myself," said Reid.

"I don't know what the gaffer's going to do as yet. He might think about the niggle in my knee and keep on top of things – but I've had no problems since I had the operation.

"It's like I've brought that extra spark to the dressing room that the boys needed to lift the place.

"Hopefully we can kick on and get another win and then concentrate on getting back up the league table.

"It's not worked out (for me) for Preston with the system that we're playing at the moment. Who knows what can come from this loan move? But the main thing for me is to be happy and help the team do well while I'm here."