DEFENDER Phil Edwards feels Ryan Lowe has breathed new life into Bury after becoming caretaker boss last week.

With Jermaine Beckford out injured, Lowe named as Edwards captain for his first game in charge and made four changes to the starting line-up.

And the Shakers rounded off an eventful week by earning a 1-1 draw with Woking to halt a run of four straight defeats.

“It’s been good, he’s been a breath of fresh air,” said Edwards. “He said to play with freedom. He’s brought in ways he wants us to try and play – a bit more pressing, a bit tighter to break through and being harder to beat.

“It was nice to lead the team and to stop the rot after four straight defeats.

“It’s a step in the right direction but we know we have to improve a lot.”

Michael Smith gave Bury a dream start but Woking then had the Shakers on the back foot for much of the contest.

“It was a tough game, they had a good go at us,” added Edwards, who turned 32 on Wednesday.

“We dealt with them better second half. First half we started well but then allowed them to get on top of us.

“The pitch was dry so it was hard to move the ball quickly.

“They gradually got their tails up and when they got the goal they fancied it even more. We had to defend a lot of crosses and thankfully we didn’t concede a second one.

“They had nothing to lose, it’s a cup competition and that’s why everyone loves it – the underdogs beating the bigger teams. But we made sure we were in the hat for the second round and, hopefully, when we get them back to Bury we can give them a good stuffing.”

Lowe’s first league game is at Gillingham on Saturday before the Shakers welcome Woking to the Energy Check Stadium on Tuesday.

“They’ll probably be a bit more reserved and look to hit us on the counter-attack,” said Edwards of the replay. “But we know that if we improve and step it up a bit, they shouldn’t be a match for us.

“We got a draw and hopefully we can push on and start picking up wins because Gillingham is a massive game.”