TOM Pope believes a rich supply line cultivated on the training pitch is helping to get the best out of him at Bury.

The 30-year-old striker has scored five goals in 11 league appearances for the Shakers since making the move from Port Vale on a free transfer in the summer.

His latest came in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Wigan, when Pope pounced on a cross from fellow substitute Reece Brown.

The Latics defence were caught on their heels, perhaps expecting Brown, who is a defender turned holding midfielder, to lay off the ball to one of the Shakers' more attack-minded players.

But after striking up a good understanding with Brown on the training pitch, Pope was quick to get into position.

“He’s got that little weapon in his pocket,” said the striker.

“When you see people in training, you know what they are capable.

“He is not the type of player who can stand the ball up, like Joe Riley can, but he has got a great little whip on the ball and can put it in behind defenders.

“When I saw him pull his foot back I knew where he was going to put it and it was just a matter of trying to get on the end of it and putting it in the net, which I managed to do.”

Brown is the latest Bury defender to weigh in with an assist, following in the footsteps of Riley and Chris Hussey, while Pope has also been impressed with the attacking threat posed by players such as Danny Mayor, Jacob Mellis and Craig Jones.

They have combined to lay on nine goals for Pope’s strike partner Leon Clarke, who he hopes to soon catch up in the scoring charts.

“We have got some quality players here and I think the more games that we play together the more goals that I will score,” he said.

“Leon has been on fire with the service he gets and if I can play a few more minutes hopefully I can try to catch him up.”