BORING, boring Bury is not a chant you would have heard much at Gigg Lane this season, but it would have beeen music to the ears of former head coach Chris Brass as he plotted a relegation escape route.

The club recently came third in a League One “entertainment index” that compared goals scored at every ground this season with ticket prices.

But too many of those goals have been scored by visiting teams – an issue Brass had worked hard to put right.

Work done in the transfer market and on the training pitch paid dividends this week, with the Shakers earning back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in 10 months.

They followed up Saturday’s 1-0 win against Swindon with a goalless draw at home to MK Dons on Tuesday night.

And while Bury had to dig deep to earn a point against the Dons, the tactical decision to play five at the back paid off, at least defensively.

Brass’ new system helped to plug League One’s most porous defence, but while he applauded his players’ efforts after the second straight shutout, the coach declared his intent to tweak the formula to make sure the goals did not dry up.

“The pleasing thing is we were organised when they did break through,” Brass said after the MK Dons stalemate, unaware that this would be his last match in charge.

“If we had just been a bit braver we would have got our just rewards. We have cancelled ourselves out.

“You might look at it and say it’s boring but not every game of football has got to be attractive.

“Not every game of football is expansive and there are not going to be 46 games like that.

“When you take it away and look at it you have to make sure you get something from it and tonight we did.”

However, there was a slight worry for star striker James Vaughan, who took a knock to his back and required treatment from physio Paul Morgan before being substituted at half time.

The in-form hitman, who has scored eight goals in six games, was replaced by George Miller – but Brass said he was protecting his prized asset and he should be fit for Saturday’s survival clash at Chesterfield.

“James has come off as a precaution for the run-in,” said Brass. “It was the right thing to do.

“He had a little nick in his back and it was a case of making sure he is right for the weekend. He will be.

“The danger of him continuing is that he could have stressed it, which could have potentially resulted in a pull or tear.

“To lose him for a number of weeks would have been silly. He will get rested up and should be right for the weekend.”

After the game Brass reserved praise for goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who is yet to concede a goal after two appearances since joining on loan from Huddersfield Town.

The Bury boss added: “It is never easy but what he has done he has done right.

“He has top qualities and I rate him very highly.

“He has made a difference not only in the games but as a person and around the place.”

Results went against the Shakers on Tuesday with closest rivals Oldham picking up maximum points.

The gap to safety was extended from one point to two – but Brass, who was replaced as Bury boss yesterday, said the players should be focused on taking care of business, not tracking results elsewhere.

“You can only deal with what you can deal with,” he said.

“We have just got to keep on track with our in-house targets.

“There is more to come from this group, which is promising, but we won’t take our eye off the ball.”

Saturday’s opponents Chesterfield are 23rd in the table, two places and four points behind Bury.

A win at the Proact Stadium under new manager Lee Clark would boost the Shakers’ chances of survival, but they will have to do it without defensive midfielder Reece Brown, who is struggling with a knee injury and is set to miss up to three weeks.

“It will not be easy,” Brass acknowledged, despite the fact Chesterfield have won just one of their last 10 matches.

“They are fighting for their lives as well so we have got to go about the match in the correct manner. I’m expecting a tough game. We have got to make sure we continue to be resolute.

“There are a few things we can tweak and we have already started looking at that.”

Match ratings

Bury (5-3-2): Murphy 8; Moore 6, Barnett 7, Kay 7, C Burgess 8, Leigh 7; Tutte 7, S Burgess 6 (Pennant 70, 6), Mellis 6; Pope 6 (Lowe 80, 6), Vaughan 6 (G Miller 45, 6).

Subs not used: Lainton, Deslandes, Beadling, Hope.

MK Dons (4-2-3-1): Martin; Baldock, Downing, Williams, Tilney; Upson, O’Keefe; Agard (Ngombo 74), Aneke (Powell 83), Barnes; Bowditch.

Subs not used: Nicholls, Muirhead, Rasulo, Brittain, Thomas.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).

Attendance: 2,005 (113 visiting).