BURY do not often lose at the home of their nearest rivals, not since 1993 have Rochdale taken all three points off the Shakers at Spotland.

Yet Saturday saw a lacklustre Bury surrender to a 3-0 defeat, their third in the league the season.

Fans optimistic of promotion may have already revised their expectations for this season, which started in stark contrast to last year.

Only six points from fifteen so far this season suggests the Shakers will endure a more challenging season than the last, having shaken off their ‘underdog’ tag under the stewardship of popular manager Alan Knill.

Yet after a positive result in the Football League trophy at Walsall, the despair of the derby defeat has lifted slightly.

Injury to Danny Racchi may open the door to fellow winger Simon Johnson, who impressed against Walsall.

Knill, understandably downcast after three league defeats, was more positive after Tuesday’s cup exploits and obviously expects a performance of the same standards on Saturday against local rivals Accrington Stanley.

So, the message coming from Gigg Lane is for fans to put the disappointment behind them and look forward to Saturday’s game, a positive performance and, hopefully, a positive result.