WHAT should have been a celebratory atmosphere at the JD Stadium on Tuesday night was soured for manager David Flitcroft by abuse from Bury fans targeted at his players.

The JD outfit’s fourth straight win against promotion rivals Luton also coincided with Flitcroft’s nomination by Sky Bet for the League Two manager of the month award for February.

But despite his players firing the club to within six points of top spot, the Shakers boss said he was “disappointed” by a lack of respect shown to his players by fans behind the dugout during the 1-0 win.

“Some fans were shouting get certain numbers off and shouting down numbers,” he said.

“We were 1-0 up against Luton, six points off the top of the league and you are getting calls of get certain numbers off, right in front of you.

“It disappoints me that we have got supporters who throw that out.

“I don’t think I can change those people and do I want to, probably not.

“I will remember that because these players don’t deserve that. They have given absolutely everything. They have sacrificed everything to get the points on the board we have done so far.”

While jumping to the defence of his players, Flitcroft was also in no mood to accept any personal adulation for his side’s recent good form.

Three wins and two draws in February earned the Bury boss a nomination for the manager of the month award, alongside Portsmouth’s Andy Awford, Plymouth manager John Sheridan and Chris Wilder, of Northampton.

“I don’t take much interest in it because, if I am being honest, there are a lot of people here that deserve the credit more than me,” said the 41-year-old coach, whose only other prize came last February.

“I am very grateful to get the nomination, but the sacrifice a lot of people make at this football club to give us what we want, it would be nice to be nominated for a team of the month.

“When I was a player I was massively into being a team player. I loved individuals if they became part of a team and it is the same as a manager.

“I am a team man, I am a club man.

“Awards are awards, they are for individuals, but this is a real ‘Team Bury’ we are trying to build at the football club and like I said there are a lot more people deserving of it than me.”