FOXBORO — It was a neat little trick.

For a few brief, hopeful minutes, as Tom Brady and Ty Warren and Adalius Thomas and Donte Stallworth warmed up on the Gillette Stadium field, it looked like the starters would get at least a little burn in the New England Patriots’ preseason finale against the New York Giants last night.

But as soon as the opening kickoff left Stephen Gostkowski’s foot, it was clear that any player who finds his name at the top of the depth chart was merely playing dress-up.

While New York did have its starters play at least a series — quarterback Eli Manning went 5-for-8, with four of his passes going to tight end Jeremy Shockey — Bill Belichick gave New England’s household names the night off, as he usually does in every exhibition finale. And several of the Pats’ reserves came through in a 27-20 triumph.

Belichick got a chance to see the backups and bottom-of-the-roster players perform, something some of them haven’t had much of a chance to do, as he and the rest of the coaching staff need to whittle the roster to 54 players (including a roster exemption for Asante Samuel) by tomorrow afternoon.

As is always the case in games with jobs on the line, some players helped themselves while others didn’t.

So who did? Well, Le Kevin Smith, for starters. The second-year defensive lineman has stepped into the spotlight this exhibition season, and he continued his strong play last night. He recorded three sacks, all of Giants backup Jared Lorenzen, and seven tackles.

After having played in just three games last year, Smith is making a case for becoming a bigger part of the defensive lineman rotation that spells standouts Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork and Warren.

“That’s my goal,” Smith said. “The better I show I can do things, the more they can’t say that they can’t use me. Hopefully, I’ve done what I need to do.”

Smith played nose tackle and end, though his three sacks came at end. However, he knows the Patriots need him at nose, as a backup to Wilfork, and he is focusing on his technique and awareness to play in the middle of the line. And as he said, gaining some weight will help, too.

Kelvin Kight shined, as well. The receiver, who had bounced around the league without much success before being signed to New England’s practice squad and then elevated to the active roster last season, is trying to gain a foothold at a crowded position.

Kight finished the game with five receptions for 61 yards and also played on special teams.

“I played hard. It’s not up to me anymore,” said Kight. “It’s in God’s hands, and the team. That’s what I love about this team — they give you a chance.”

Another receiver, C.J. Jones, has largely been forgotten this training camp. Though he remains a longshot to make the team at wideout, the Iowa product, another well-traveled young player, showed some speed in the kick-return game. His four returns averaged 29 yards.

Recently, Belichick said he would give consideration to keeping a player on the roster who specialized in returns. Jones also played on the kickoff-coverage teams.

As one of the Patriots’ offseason award winners, recognizing his progress in the weight room, linebacker Pierre Woods wouldn’t seem to be in danger of losing his job, but he can certainly gain more playing time.

The second-year ’backer, yet another undrafted player to earn a spot on New England’s active roster, seemed to be all over the field, and was credited with eight tackles and two quarterback sacks.

“It was a big opportunity for all of the guys out there. You try to take advantage of the opportunity and not take it for granted,” Woods said.

As someone who was on the bubble last year at this time, Woods remembers that time well.

“It was tough,” he said. “It’s not an easy system, not an easy defense. What a difference a year makes.”

Likely due to his smaller size and high motor, Bam Childress seems to be a fan favorite, and Childress’ name showed up all over the stat sheet last night. The former Ohio State star caught four passes, including one for a touchdown, came out of the backfield for a 25-yard gain and also saw time on special teams.

If there was a player who didn’t do much to help his cause against New York, it was running back Quinton Smith. The undrafted rookie struggled, with 46 yards on 14 carries, his average helped by an 11-yard scamper. Smith did score a touchdown on a one-yard run.

smanza@projo.com