EXPERIENCE has convinced David Flitcroft not to give up on the race for automatic promotion despite Tuesday night’s damaging defeat to rivals Southend United.

The Bury manager led Barnsley away from almost certain relegation on the final day of the 2012/13 Championship season.

And he will need luck to be on his side again this campaign after Southend leapfrogged the Shakers to move level on 81 points with third-placed Wycombe, leaving Bury two points behind their rivals.

But Flitcroft believes six points could still be enough to see his side squeeze into the top three.

“Certainly this isn’t over. Stranger things have happened,” he said.

“I came from Barnsley where on the last day of the season we stayed up amid immense scenes.

“I have seen it, witnessed it and been a part of it.

“The last day is why English football is the best in the world, but we’ve got to be in there to be involved in it.

“I’m disappointed , but we have got two more games now to try to achieve an 85 point finish.”

Almost 8,400 fans, the club’s highest attendance since 1997, took advantage of chairman Stewart Day’s offer of free entry to Tuesday night’s game.

Flitcroft says he would love to see them return to the JD Stadium to cheer on his side in their final home game of the season against Wimbledon on Saturday.

“I hope some of the fans who went to the match join us for the ride,” he said.

“It’s what we want to try to bring to the football club.

“The chairman has deserved to get a full house. Obviously he has given the seats for free and the town supported it. I’m delighted with that because they didn’t have to, but they have come out in force.”

If Flitcroft needed any further encouragement, the club’s Under-18s team provided a timely boost after clinching the Football League Youth Alliance North West title.

After losing their penultimate match of the season against main rivals Wigan Athletic, all looked lost.

But Ryan Kidd’s side won their final game 5-0 and the Latics failed to earn the point they needed for the championship following a 1-0 defeat against Rochdale.

“We’ve missed a potential opportunity, but another one will open up. That’s what happens in football,” said Flitcroft.

“That’s why we love football, that’s why it’s our drug of choice. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. So we are going to look forward to the next two games – it’s the only way I know.”