DAVID Flitcroft revealed how he revelled in the role of party pooper after Bury’s thrilling 1-0 victory at home to Shrewsbury on Tuesday night denied the visitors the chance of promotion.

The Bury boss admits to going “ballistic” before kick-off after Sky TV ferried in Champagne and banners in readiness for a Shrews win, which could have secured their return to League One.

But he said the lack of tact provided the extra motivation needed to secure the three points, which ensured the Shakers’ place in the play-offs and kept up the heat on Wycombe Wanderers in the race for the final automatic promotion spot.

“Sky wanted to come and use one of my offices to store the Champagne and banners and I told the players,” he said.

“I went ballistic before the game, I used it as one of my team talks.

“It really spurred me on. I was disgusted, so I am chuffed for the chairman because I didn’t want his nose being rubbed in it by the Shrewsbury crew.”

Flitcroft is now eager to repeat the trick at Portsmouth on Saturday by wrecking caretaker boss Gary Waddock’s first game in charge of the South Coast club following the sacking of Andy Awford.

But he added: “It’s not about Portsmouth, it is about Bury Football Club, it always will be, that’s why I have not enjoyed Shrewsbury coming here.

“Of course it is media and TV driven that they have got to come and celebrate on our patch, but I am glad they have not been able to.”

Bury gained a measure of revenge against Shrewsbury after they were beaten 5-0 in the reverse fixture in October.

Joe Riley returned from a three-match suspension to score the only goal of the game, crashing in a pile-driver from 30 yards to register the first goal of his professional career.

Bury followed up a 2-0 win at Newport County on Saturday, equalling the club record with their sixth straight victory on the road.

But back-to-back victories for third-placed Wycombe, who clinched a winner against Exeter in the 12th minute of stoppage time on Tuesday night, ensured the Shakers remain four points outside the automatic promotion places, but with a game in hand.

Riley is confident, however, that they have what it takes to push Wycombe all the way.

“We are going for automatic promotion, there is no two ways about it,” he said.

“We proved (on Tuesday) we can beat one of the best teams in the league because I think we are the best team in the league, to be honest with you, and I don’t think we would be out of place in League One

“So hopefully Wycombe will slip up, and we have got to be there waiting when they do.”