SAM Allardyce explained today how he stitched Graham Taylor up with a hasty substitution.

The Wanderers' boss had to make a quick decision when Paul Warhurst raced off to have stitches in a headwound in the 39th minute of yesterday's 1-0 Reebok victory over Taylor's Villa.

The midfielder had been a big influence as Wanderers dominated on the game and could have gone back out for the second half after having the gash repaied. But Allardyce decided he could not afford to play out the remaining minutes of the first period with only 10 men.

"I was in touch with Mark Taylor (head of science and medicine) through my earpiece and he said there was no way he could get Paul on until after half-time," the manager explained. "With the six minutes remaining plus an extra three it was too long to play with 10 men. So I decided to make the substitution."

Anthony Barness replaced Warhurst and took over at left back, allowing Ricardo Gardner - already on for the injured Simon Charlton - to move into midfield. Both replacements were impressive as Wanderers went on to collect their first points of the season thanks to Michael Rickett's second-half penalty.