NICKY Adams has not been surprised by Bury’s rise to the top of League Two – he believes they are already equipped to compete at a higher level.

The 27-year-old Bolton-born midfielder has been a key factor in the Shakers’ early-season form since returning to the club in the summer.

After playing in the Championship with Leicester and League One for Brentford, Rochdale, Crawley and Rotherham, Adams has seen enough to believe the current squad is capable of bigger and better things.

“Everyone knows promotion is the main job for us this year,” he said.

“That will not be easy and we have got to get that done first, but when you look at the players in this squad, I think we could push on in League One.

“I have been there over the past few years and this squad is better than some of the teams I have been in.

“I have been in some good sides, but just look at the players who are not even playing.”

Nine of the starting XI that helped Bury leapfrog League Two leaders Burton Albion with a 3-1 victory last Saturday have played in League One or above, while all seven substitutes have played at a higher level.

Former first-teamers Chris Hussey, Andrew Tutte, Shwan Jalal, Chris Sedgwick and Clive Platt were all named amongst the substitutes against Burton.

Danny Nardiello came on as a second-half substitute to score a match-winning double, and Ryan Lowe, who bagged the other goal, has scored in the last three games since being dropped to the bench for the recent trip to Carlisle.

That level of quality and experience, both on the pitch and waiting in reserve, is what convinces Adams there is more to come from this Bury squad.

“It is difficult (to compare) because I have played with a number of different teams and there have been some good sets of lads at every club," he said.

“But every day, in the changing room and on the training pitch, the lads here have been brilliant.

“You don’t have one person who tries to upset the rhythm of things – even the lads that are not in the team. They train hard and push everyone else. We are all in it together.

“On the pitch – we move the ball that well, and that fast, it is difficult for teams.

“We have just got to keep it going, and I think we will do.

“Obviously, there are going to be times when it is not going to happen, it is a long season and no-one will get carried away, but I think these are exciting times for us.”

Bury travel to 20th-placed Exeter today with no injuries and on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run, although their opponents' results have also picked up of late.

Paul Tisdale's side will be hoping to continue a run of form that has seen them win back-to-back matches at Cambridge and Tranmere.