PHIL Edwards has assured the Bury fans his team-mates are determined to fight for League One survival.

There are set to be several changes to the Bury squad this month, with chairman Stewart Day and manager Chris Lucketti admitting it needs to be trimmed.

Those that featured at Scunthorpe on New Year’s Day deserved at least a point, only for the hosts to bundle in a late winner and keep the Shakers 11 points from safety.

But as long as those players remain at Bury, Edwards insists they will give their all for the club.

“We all want to fight, I’ve never questioned that with these lads,” said the defender.

“We want to win games. You should see us in the changing room. It’s not nice to be losing but we do care and it does matter.

“I just want to say to the fans that we’re not losing on purpose, we are gutted and we want to get Bury back up into a nice position.

“It’s going to be a struggle but we’re going to give everything we can.”

Edwards, who wore the captain’s armband with Stephen Dawson starting on the bench, played his part as the Bury defence frustrated Scunny for long periods.

“We’re gutted about another defeat but we’re more positive about the performance,” he added. “Hopefully it’s something we can build on in the next game at Plymouth. That’s got to be the bare minimum now, it’s got to be the standard we set – working hard and grafting for each other.”

“We need everyone, from the youngest player in the squad. We know it’s going to be tough but we’ve got to stick together and fight all the way. We’re going to give it our best shot.”

Scunny striker Lee Novak appeared to be in an offside position as Bury failed to clear Josh Morris’ free-kick, allowing Charlie Goode to grab the winner from close range.

“It was a tough one to take,” said Edwards. “I thought we were well in the game then we suffer the sucker-punch at the end, which is something that’s cost us all season.

“We didn’t deserve that but it’s just that bit of luck that you don’t seem to get when you’re bottom of the league.

“The defence has been criticised, and rightly so, but we were more solid as a team. We grafted for each other and it was just unfortunate we couldn’t see it out for the 90-odd minutes. It was a bitter blow.

“It’s the fine details. We just can’t seem to see results out at the minute and that’s why we’re in the position we’re in.”