Bury boss Dave McNabb has challenged his players to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat in the FA Vase - and they can do so in a derby clash at Ramsbottom United.

Having exited one cup competition following a 1-0 defeat at Northern League Division One side Whickham, the Shakers will be looking to progress in another against the Rams in the NWCL’s Macron Cup.

McNabb wanted his players to right those wrongs against Pilkington on Tuesday night but after that game was postponed, his post-match displeasure could easily apply to Saturday’s trip to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

“We have got to be better than we were (against Whickham),” he told the club website.

“Otherwise you will be looking at two defeats on the bounce.

“As a collective; myself, staff, players, I think we have let the fans down.

“They travelled in massive numbers, they were so loud right the way through the game and they deserve a little bit better.

“The mark of a group and a team is how well you can bounce back from the setbacks so that is the challenge for myself and the lads.”

Having won their previous four games without conceding a goal, McNabb picked an unchanged team for the Whickham clash but was unhappy with the overall display.

“We are trying to drive some consistency now in terms of selections and performances but I don’t think anyone did themselves any favours, particularly second half,” he said.

“I was really disappointed overall. First half I thought we were poor but we still created chances. The workrate off the ball was really good, the pressing was really good.

“I think we missed too many chances, I thought we had four or five really good chances. It was a very difficult pitch to play on but I thought first half we deserved to be maybe one, possibly two up without really playing that well.

“Second half we tried to address some of things, those little details but we have come out and have just looked completely toothless.

“I don’t think we even looked like scoring second half.

Their goal - I think the line was too deep it has put pressure on the goalkeeper, Harry [Wright]. Maybe could have done a little bit better but there were three men waiting to follow it up, that is the hunger and desire that if we had shown in the first half at the other end we would have gone in at half time 2-0 up.

“But it was a tough day and we need to be better as a group.”