BURY chairman Stewart Day has issued a public apology to supporters after the club was last night knocked out of the FA Cup by Woking.

The managerless Shakers lost 3-0 in a first-round replay at home to the National League outfit, dumped out of the cup by a non-league side for the first time in 17 years.

Day is currently searching for a new permanent manager to replace Lee Clark, who he sacked earlier this month.

Ryan Lowe has been placed in temporary charge, but despite avoiding defeat in his first three matches, including a 1-1 draw at Woking in the initial tie, he now looks unlikely to be handed the reins.

Day's statement, published on the club's official website, said: "I wanted to put pen to paper to apologise to the loyal Bury fans who witnessed last night’s performance in the Emirates FA Cup game against Woking.

"The word performance goes nowhere near to summarising what we all had to experience and I can 100 per cent state that it was not good enough!

"The attitude of the team was not acceptable and as a chairman and a fan I expect much, much more.

"The fans’ frustration was also echoed by myself and the board and that performance does not represent what Bury Football Club represents.

"The word deflated goes nowhere near to describing how we all felt.

"Like every League One, Two and non-league side, progression in the FA Cup is something we all look forward to, especially me, as it is a competition I have loved for many years.

"It is a competition that I wanted to progress as far as we can in.

"To get knocked out in the way we did is extremely disappointing for me.

"We lacked fight, passion and desire, attributes that I, as chairman, expect the players to give when wearing the shirt.

"Woking Football Club deserved to go through as they played as a team and wanted to win much more than we did and everyone on the ground applauded them off the pitch.

"I personally congratulated each player and member of the coaching staff.

"We wish them well in the next round.

"The players will be made to know what I expect, and the type of performance I expect from them.

"They now need to give you something back, and that starts this coming Saturday at home to Blackburn Rovers.

"I hope that you can come down to Gigg Lane on Saturday and support the club and let the team repay the faith that you have always shown in them.

"This is a disappointing hurdle, but one we will get over and move forward.

"Thank you for the support you have shown us."

Saturday's match against Blackburn is the first of two home matches in the space of a week, with League One leaders Shrewsbury due to visit the Energy Check Stadium on Tuesday.