JAY O’Shea reckons Bury’s away record could be the key to earning an immediate return to League One.

The Shakers picked up one point from games at Mansfield and Notts County between Christmas and New Year.

But they came from behind to win 3-1 at home to Crewe on New Year’s Day and move back up to fourth in the League Two table.

Bury have won three of their 13 away games in the league, with Tranmere the only team in the top 14 to have won fewer.

O’Shea hopes the Shakers can improve that record, though, beginning with Saturday’s trip to fourth-bottom Yeovil Town.

“Our away form could be the difference in the second half of the season,” said the attacking midfielder.

“If we can keep up our home form and try to get more wins away, that’ll hopefully push us towards the top three.

“We’ve had a good start and it’s good to be in and around it at the halfway point.

“To pick up away points is always important,” O’Shea added. “And I think the Crewe win made the Notts County draw a good point. They were good, and we got a bit lucky with the penalty miss, so to take four points from the last two games is good.”

O’Shea replaced Nicky Maynard as Bury’s top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions

after striking twice in the fightback against Crewe.

“I think it showed the

attitude we’ve got,” added the 30-year-old Irishman. “Other teams could have gone under at 1-0 down.

“I don’t think we have been at our best in the last few games – maybe even in the first half against Crewe.

“But in the second half we really showed what we’re about and hopefully we can take that into the game against Yeovil.”

After the long trip to Somerset, Bury hit the road again for a much shorter journey on Tuesday to face Accrington in the Checkatrade Trophy third round.