JOE Murphy has urged Bury to make use of some home comforts over the next week to reinforce their promotion push.

The Shakers are now eight points behind League Two leaders Lincoln City after having to settle for a 0-0 draw at Grimsby Town last Saturday.

But they now have two home games in four days, against Swindon and the rearranged game with Cambridge United after the initial fixture was postponed on March 16.

“The weekend off killed us a bit with the momentum,” said Bury keeper Murphy.

“Because we’ve done so well, when we don’t play as well it’s like ‘what’s going on’, and you get frustrated.

“In the last eight games we’ll probably get teams dropping in and making it difficult and it’s up to us to break them down.

“We weren’t great (at Grimsby) but at this stage of the season it can end up being a good point, similar to the Cheltenham game the other week.

“We’ve got to follow it up with a win.

“We’re looking to win every game but if we can get four to six points from them that’d be a good return and the point at Grimsby will look even better.

“We’ll take the draw and look forward to the two home games coming up.”

Swindon are in 10th place and the Robins, managed by former Oldham boss Richie Wellens, are still hopeful of a play-off place.

Bury then play their game in hand when they welcome lowly Cambridge to Gigg Lane on Tuesday night.

Murphy, aged 37, added: “We’ve been great at home, only Carlisle have beaten us, and we’ll have to dig out those kind of performances again.

“Swindon will be tough, they won 4-0 on Saturday. But we’ve got to keep looking up and try to catch Lincoln. I know Lincoln won on Saturday but I think we’ve got a chance.

“After Mansfield away (Bury’s last defeat on Boxing Day) we said ‘let’s go unbeaten for as many games as we can’.

“That’s what we’ve done and if we can keep doing that we’ll be there or thereabouts.”