IT was a shame Bury were unable to build on their opening-day win by putting Oldham to the sword at Gigg Lane but football is a game of fine margins.

There was very little to choose between the two sides, who I would say are at a similar stage of rebuilding.

It was just one of those things that the visitors were able to shade it with an own goal.

Hopefully, though, the 3,000 home fans who turned out dreaming of a derby win will have seen enough to believe their team is on the right track.

Granted, their start has been a little different to last season, when Bury stormed into the play-off places before petering out.

Maybe this year will be more of a slow burner, with David Flitcroft developing his side gradually to peak at the end of the campaign, rather than tailing off.

It is still early days, but since their victory over Charlton I would say Bury have shown enough promise to believe they deserved more than three defeats and a draw.

What I don't agree with is Flitcroft’s assertion the players could be suffering from fatigue.

Teams have always had to contend with playing a flurry of midweek matches at the start of the season and should be prepared for that.

A run of early games can actually help a team to bed in. Players are always eager to get going and would not want it to be stop-start.

You also want to get the games on when the conditions are better – for players and fans – rather than store up midweek games for the winter months.

Where I do think Flicker has a point is the scheduling of EFL Cup matches. It is not fair some teams get to play on Tuesdays and others, as was the case with Bury, on a Wednesday.

Throw in extra time and back-to-back away journeys, and the Shakers were at a distinct disadvantage when travelling down to Gillingham the following weekend.

I also think changes made to the EFL Trophy – introducing a group stage and under-23 Premier League teams – are a non-starter.

The competition only becomes interesting when teams get a whiff of Wembley, so they should be trying to speed up the route to the final, not slow it down.

And what is the point of the competition if teams from Leagues One and Two do not even end up contesting the showpiece?