GARY Neville threw his support behind Bury’s promotion challenge by giving the players an insight into what it takes to become a champion.

The former England and Manchester United player delivered what manager David Flitcroft described as an “inspirational talk” at the club’s Carrington training ground in midweek.

And his words certainly seemed to have an effect as the Shakers cruised to a comfortable victory at Cambridge United on Good Friday.

“It was inspirational to every single player and member of staff at Bury Football Club,” said Flitcroft, who said he struck up a rapport with Neville recently while the pair sat classes together working towards their pro coaching licence.

“Some of the things he spoke to us about I definitely saw adhered to down here (at Cambridge) and I can’t thank him enough.”

A goal in each half from captain Nathan Cameron and Tom Soares secured the fourth-placed Shakers a fifth straight away win.

Both goals came from calm, classy finishes, indicative of players who are supremely confident following a startling run that has seen the club pick up 24 points from a possible 27.

The latest three points heaped the pressure on third-placed Wycombe Wanderers ahead of Monday’s round of fixtures. Bury moved to within four points with a game in hand after their promotion rivals slipped up at home to Oxford.

Neville’s former manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously described the closing stages of the football season as “squeaky bum time” but there was no evidence of nerves on show.

Flitcroft believes that was down to Neville’s words of wisdom, offering an insight into the mindset of the United dressing room under Fergie.

“His talk was about Gary Neville the champion,” said the Bury boss.

“It was about the Gary Neville who won all those trophies down the run in, over the last nine games.

“Like when they were chasing down Arsenal, or when teams were trying to chase them down.

“What he said to the lads is something that will live with me – he said you either do your best every day or you don’t. It’s your choice. It’s as simple as that, and it certainly rubbed off on the players here today.”

The home side, who finished the match five points above the drop zone, started brightly with Ryan Donaldson’s 25-yard shot forcing Shakers stopper Nick Pope into a superb flying fingertip save.

But Bury did not take long to get into their stride. Home keeper Chris Dunn had to dive full stretch to turn away a Chris Hussey free kick and then get his body behind an angled Soares drive.

But there was no stopping Cameron’s well-placed effort. The big defender was left unmarked in the box following a half-cleared Hussey corner and after Danny Mayor’s clever floated cross back into the danger area found the skipper in acres of space, he had plenty of time to bring the ball down and side-foot it home.

Any dreams of a Cambridge recovery were snuffed out seven minutes after the break when Soares charged into the box to stroke a neat Danny Mayor pass into the bottom corner.

Richard Money’s battlers could not enliven a crowd of almost 5,500, and while the 566 travelling Shakers supporters had plenty to shout about there was some concern in the closing stages as defender Adam El-Abd was carried off with a knee injury.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED (4-4-2): Dunn; Taylor, Coulson, Donaldson, Champion, Elliott (Harrold 63), Hunt (Mendez Laing 58), Dunk, Simpson (Bird 54), Nelson, Kaikai.

Not used: Norris, Hughes, Ball, Morrisey.

BURY (4-4-2): Pope 9; Jones 8 (Holding 6 79), Cameron 9, El-Abd 9, Hussey 8; Soares 8, Etuhu 8, Tutte 8, Mayor 8; Eaves 7 (Nardiello 7 58), Lowe 8 (Sedgwick 7 68).

Not used: Hope, Adams, O'Brien, Lainton.

Goals: Cambridge United 0 Bury 2 (Cameron 23, Soares 52).

Yellow cards: Bury – Eaves 15.

Referee: Mark Brown.

Attendance: 5,477 (566 visiting).

Star man: Nick Pope – The confidence that is flowing through the Bury team at present stems from one man – Nick Pope. He has only played 15 games for the team since joining the League Two promotion chasers on loan from Charlton but it is now hard to imagine the side without him. The 22-year-old claimed an eighth cleansheet following another imperious performance that started with a worldie save in the second minute and continued with a succession of towering takes and steady stops. With Pope behind them, you get the feeling the Bury defence always feel in control.