DAVID Flitcroft has a plan to get Bolton Wanderers striker Tom Eaves firing again after thrusting him straight into the starting line up on Saturday just hours after his season-long loan was finalised.

The 23-year-old target man had a volley ruled out for offside in what was a promising debut, helping his new club pick up a third straight away win to move up to fifth place in the League Two table.

And while the Liverpudlian was not able to notch up his first goal in more than 13 months, Flitcroft is confident he will bring the best out of the former Oldham trainee.

“I have got a plan for Tom Eaves over the next couple of months and I am excited to try to work on that plan,” said Flitcroft, who hopes to rebuild the young forward’s confidence.

Eaves arrives at the JD Stadium without a goal since February 2014 and only three in 45 appearances over the past two seasons.

“You can’t drag goals out of anyone,” added the Bury boss. “The goals come from within. They come from doing your work every day on the training field. They come from belief, they come from people believing in you.

“There are a lot of miles to go before Tom can score consistently. But will he? With the help of myself and my support staff, absolutely.

“I think there is another 30 per cent of power and explosion in there - that’s what we are tasked to find.”

If Eaves took to the pitch lacking in confidence and match fitness, after playing just eight games this season, it did not show.

The 6”3 striker covered a lot of ground up front alone, harrying the Mansfield defenders into making mistakes, while holding up the ball well and linking Bury’s attacking play.

But chances were few and far between in a match that was low on goalmouth action for both sides.

Bury took the lead somewhat fortuitously in the 21st minute when captain Nathan Cameron turned a Chris Hussey free-kick towards goal and Stags defender Ryan Tafazolli helped it on its way as he tried to clear the danger.

Eaves then ghosted in at the back post to finish off a pinpoint cross from Nicky Adams, only for the referee’s assistant to raise his flag.

Adams also flashed a shot wide before the break, but the Shakers never went searching for a second, content to see the game out for a fourth clean sheet and fifth victory in their last six matches.

Mansfield, who have been hard to beat under new manager Adam Murray, were unable to put the visitors under any concerted pressure.

A deflected shot from Chris Clements had Nick Pope backpedalling to tip the high bouncing ball over his bar while the Shakers stopper had to be on his toes to block a close-range Reggie Lambe effort midway through the second half.

But Flitcroft was more than happy with his side’s professional display, which moved them to within four points of the automatic promotion places.

“It was an immaculate performance in terms of going 1-0 up and being disciplined, organised and professional,” he said.

“I thought the way we locked the game down and managed the game out was fantastic.”

BURY (4-1-4-1): Pope 8; Joe Riley 8, Cameron 9, McNulty 8, Hussey 8; Etuhu 7; Adams 8 (Sedgwick 80), Soares 7, Tutte 7, Mayor 6 (Jones 59); Eaves 8 (Hope 84).

Not used: Lowe, O'Brien, Lainton, Shaw.

MANSFIELD (4-1-4-1): Pidgeley; Beevers, Martin Riley, Tafazolli, Elder; Ravenhill; Brown (Monakana 65), Thomas (Kee 50), Clements, Lambe (Bingham 73); Oliver.

Not used: Studer, Sutton, Rhead, Heslop.

Goals: Mansfield 0 Bury 1 (Tafazolli og 21), Yellow cards: Mansfield ¬– Thomas 41, Ravenhill 60. Bury – None.

Referee: Darren Sheldrake. Attendance: 2,868 (visiting 411).

Star man: Nathan Cameron – The fact the 24-year-old skipper seems to have finished so many matches with his head bandaged this season may explain why his displays have been so eye-catching. He certainly shows no fear to put his head, or any part of his body for that matter, where it hurts. Yet again, the former Coventry defender left the field bloodied after leading his side to a fourth clean sheet in their last five matches. The whole back line has to take collective credit for that, but Cameron’s leadership was yet again instrumental.