ADAM Reed does not mind captain Russell Penn bending his ear in the York City engine room.

Since being paired together in midfield for the first time during January’s 2-0 home defeat to Sky Bet League Two leaders Chesterfield, Reed and Penn have helped their team to secure three wins and two draws from the last five matches.

Reed has been operating slightly in front of City’s skipper, who is six years his elder, with the former Sunderland reserve welcoming Penn’s words of advice throughout matches.

On the ex-England ‘C’ international’s constant chatter, Reed said: “He’s always in my ear and we are working well together at the minute.

“He has a lot of experience in League football so being next to him gives me the confidence to play my game. We are getting results and, hopefully, we can do that until the end of the season.”

Reed is also relishing the number of potential targets he currently has to aim at when preparing to take set-pieces.

Towering centre-back John McCombe claimed his third goal in seven Minstermen outings when he headed in a Reed corner during Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Exeter.

Michael Coulson also got on the scoresheet against the Grecians after striker Ryan Bowman had risen highest to meet a Will Hayhurst free-kick and, enthusing about the penalty-box presence of his team-mates, Reed added: “It definitely makes my job easier.

“We get a lot of set-pieces and the gaffer has said we need to start taking chances from them.

“For me, when we have the likes of John McCombe scoring goals, all you have to do is put the ball in and around where the lads are and they will get on the end of it.

“We scored from two set-pieces on Saturday and, if I can keep putting the ball in the right areas, hopefully we can keep getting goals.”

Reed has retained his City starting place despite Lewis Montrose’s return from suspension during the last four games and he remains committed to proving City boss Nigel Worthington right for bringing him back to Bootham Crescent having turned down a move to the Minstermen in the summer prior to a frustrating spell with Burton.

“I am getting stronger every game,” Reed said about his current run. “The gaffer has shown confidence in me and I want to show him and the fans that bringing me in was a good choice.

“Hopefully, my performances will get better and better and I can stay in the team and keep helping the club climb.”

City rose to tenth following Saturday’s win but Reed, pictured above, has even loftier ambitions, reasoning: “The quality we have at the club is really good.

“The gaffer gives us confidence to play football and each game we are getting stronger and better as a group. I think we can keep pushing on and get even higher in the league.”

The Minstermen travel to mid-table rivals AFC Wimbledon next Saturday with Reed aware City must cope first with the intimate surroundings of Kingsmeadow.

Reed has an excellent personal record during City away matches – with four wins and a draw in five games over two separate spells.

On the challenge awaiting in London, he said: “It’s a similar ground to ours – one of those tight stadiums – but we have got to go there and prepare with the right mindset. We know we can’t take our foot off the gas and, if we start playing and stick together, confidence is high so, hopefully, we can get more goals and another result.”