MANAGER Lee Clark insisted he could turn around his Bury tenure despite his side suffering their fourth straight defeat, at home to Doncaster on Saturday.

The afternoon started badly when star striker Jermaine Beckford was forced off through injury in the first half and got worse when centre-half Eoghan O’Connell was sent off just before the break.

It looked like the 10 men might hang on for a much-needed point but Rovers substitute Ben Whiteman struck on 78 minutes to claim the winner.

Immediately after the goal, a section of the home support turned on their manager with chants of “Clark out” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning”.

And they only intensified at the final whistle, with defeat leaving the Shakers second-bottom of League One.

Clark said: “I’m as frustrated as them so I’ve got no qualms with that, I fully understand. We’ve lost four on the bounce and I know the business I’m in.

“It’s not a great run that we’re on but I’m working hard every day. I believe I’m the right man to turn it around.

“I think the players are with us, they showed us that spirit with a man down.”

After James Coppinger’s deflected shot went just wide early on, the Shakers had the better of a poor first half.

Beckford fired wide before Chris Humphrey and Greg Leigh went close. Rovers keeper Ian Lawlor then denied Rohan Ince before parrying a shot by Beckford, although Bury’s captain picked up a thigh problem in the process.

Donny were handed a further boost as O’Connell was shown a straight red for bundling over John Marquis when the striker was clean through.

Shakers’ 10 men held firm before Coppinger’s corner was cleared to the edge of the Bury box, Whiteman had time to take a touch before sidefooting home 12 minutes from time.

“I thought the players gave everything they could in the second half but it was always going to be tough,” Clark added.

“When it was 11 v 11 we did create some chances, but we played too slowly, we played into Doncaster’s hands.

“The sending off will always make it difficult but even then, they only really had the two chances in terms of cutting us open.

“The lads showed great courage and effort in the second half but you need more than that to win matches.”

Match ratings

Bury (3-4-1-2): Murphy 6; Edwards 6, O’Connell 4, Aldred 6; Humphrey 6, Ince 6 (Tutte 6, 61), Reilly 7, Leigh 6; O’Shea 6 (Mayor 82); Beckford 6 (Maguire 6, 38), Smith 5. Not used: Dobre, Laurent, Williams, Fasan.

Doncaster (4-3-1-2): Lawlor; Alcock (Whiteman 61), Wright, Butler, Baudry (Williams 67); Toffolo, Kongolo, Houghton; Rowe; Marquis, Coppinger. Not used: Mason, Marosi, Garratt, Beestin, Ben Khemis.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 3,079 (454 away).