IT may seem hard to put a positive spin on Tuesday’s disappointing defeat, but I believe the club should take a great deal of pride from what I understand was an amazing night.

By all accounts, the 8,000 Bury fans who turned out to support the club’s generous offer of free entry were treated to a fantastic spectacle and performance.

Yes, it was not the result we were hoping for, but those spectators who made their first visit to the Shakers must have been impressed.

I had to commentate on Preston for BBC Radio Lancashire, but everyone who I have spoken to who went to the game said the stadium was absolutely bouncing.

I also understand the team played brilliantly - sometimes it is just not your night.

You have to hand it to the chairman for making it free entry and I sincerely hope it pays dividends in the long run.

Hopefully, many of those who were there on Tuesday get down to the JD Stadium this weekend for Bury’s last home match against Wimbledon.

The Shakers should go into that game with a weight lifted off their shoulders - all of the pressure is now on Southend and Wycombe.

Bury know whatever they do now, their two rivals are in control of the race for automatic promotion.

Even if the Shakers win their final two matches, that may still not be enough, but the funny thing about this game is that it is never as simple as it seems.

I saw in Preston’s match on Tuesday night a team playing under the weight of expectation.

It was as if a pressure valve had been opened when they scored the third goal in their 3-1 win at Notts County – and they have two matches still to play.

Both Wycombe and Southend will now be playing under that pressure, and there is no telling how that might affect them.

If Bury can win on Saturday and take the promotion race into the final game of the season, then who knows what will happen?

On another note, I would like to say how pleased I am for Danny Mayor after he was named League Two player of the year.

I had Danny as a youngster at Preston and I can say now that my old club should never have let him go.

David Flitcroft was right to say he is far and away the best attacking player in the league.

You can’t coach what Danny gives to the team, the most important thing was always making Danny believe he was really that good.

And I am glad to see Danny is now playing with the confidence he needs to reach his potential.