Safety a happy bonus for boss

9:18am Friday 2nd May 2008

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BURY boss Alan Knill admitted he fully expected to be going into tomorrow's final game of the season at Accrington Stanley anxiously looking over his shoulder.

When the former Chesterfield assistant took over in early February from Chris Capser and Keith Alexander, the Shakers were locked in yet another relegation battle.

But the League Two club have undergone a dramatic upturn in fortunes under Knill, pulling clear of danger and, depending on results, one victory away from finishing in 12th spot.

However, the Gigg Lane manager said even he had been surprised by the club's transformation since he took over.

"I thought it would be pretty close," he said. "It's credit to the players because they've been fantastic. The most pleasing thing is that we are a difficult team to beat now.

"Our main objective was to be safe and stay in the league, and we've done that, but to finish on 59 points would be a pretty good haul from where we've come from.

"We've raised expectation and put belief back in the players and supporters - it's been an excellent second half of the season."

Evidence of Bury's resurgence came in last Saturday's draw with promotion-chasing Rochdale in an action-packed derby at Gigg Lane Knill added: "Rochdale complained about us being defensive but it's nothing to do with that. It's about having the right tactics on the day.

"We now look hard to beat and, at the same time, we look like we can score at the other end."

And the Shakers chief is hoping for a similarly entertaining encounter at Accrington.

"It was excellent game," said Knill. "It was a really good derby game which had everything a derby should have.

"The atmosphere was fantastic. I hope it's the same against Accrington, but it's a tough place to go to.

"It's one of those places that, if you're not right mentally, you are going to get turned over.

"But we've done so well, we want to end the season positively."

With Ben Futcher suspended after his red card against Rochdale and Elliott Bennett back at Wolves after his loan spell, Knill must plug a hole in both his defence and midfield. Long-term absentees Dave Challinor and Paul Morgan are the only injury worries.