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ALAN Knill is hoping the club's best run of home form for nearly six years will help tempt stay-away fans back to Gigg Lane.

Three wins on the spin on home turf have alleviated fears of relegation, lifting the Shakers to 15th - their highest league position since before Christmas.

But just 2,300 home supporters turned out to see the hat-trick victory against Mansfield on Easter Monday.

This season's crowd average of 2,429 should be boosted by forthcoming derbies against Macclesfield and Rochdale - but with season tickets now on sale, the Shakers boss is well aware that the final three home games could be a big shop window in which to entice fans back through the turnstiles next season.

"We are here to entertain the supporters," he said. "It's important that firstly you win your home games, and then secondly to try and play the right way. That has always been my philosophy.

"As good as we have been away from home in the past, you can't always win. You have to win them at home though, because that should encourage a few more people through the gate.

"The important thing is that the fans see we are trying to do things the right way, we are winning games, and playing good football. If that means one, or one thousand extra fans come back through the gates then it has all been worth it."

Before he gets an opportunity to extend the run to four games, Knill takes his side to Shrewsbury on Saturday looking to put more daylight between themselves and the Shropshire side, billed as one of the pre-season promotion favourites.

Dave Challinor (knee), Paul Morgan (ulcer) and Andy Mangan (groin) are fitness doubts ahead of the Shakers' first-ever trip to the New Meadow.

12:20pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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