BURY manager Graham Barrow has praised the club's fans for their continued support during his side's recent poor run of results.

Despite some good overall performances, the four league games played through September yielded only one point, a sequence that Barrow is desperate to bring to an end.

Hopefully that will happen Saturday when Macclesfield Town are the visitors to Gigg Lane, but whatever happens, Barrow has been delighted by the level of backing offered his players over a frustrating few weeks.

"Our supporters have been great both home and away and were superb again at Stockport on Tuesday night," he said.

"They have been behind the team all the way and that's very important with young players in the side.

"We haven't heard any negativity and I think they realise we just aren't getting the rub of the green at the moment.

"It's vital they continue like that too, we've all got to stick together to get through this sticky patch.

"I've never been involved with a team that has played so well for so little reward.

"It's difficult to cope with, especially when the lads go out and perform they way they have been doing.

"But it will come. The whole squad are having a go and that's all you can ask from them.

"We just need a bit more luck and things will pick up."

That commodity certainly wasn't on the menu at Edgeley Park on Tuesday night when the Shakers ended up with two men sent off, Barrow despatched to the stands, then conceded two extra time goals to send them out of the LDV Vans Trophy at the first time of asking.

The club have tried - unsuccessfully - to get Chris Porter's dismissal rescinded.

He picked up his second bookable offence for deliberate handball, something which Barrow completely refutes after watching the incident on video.

Paul Scott's straight red was for foul and abusive language to the referee and won't be contested.

Both players will miss tomorrow's game through suspension, with Jon Newby and Danny Swailes likely to be straight replacements.

"After watching the game on video there's no way Chris's handball was deliberate and if that was the case the goal should have stood" he added.

"We asked the referee to look at it again because we didn't want the lad to be suspended.

"I didn't even think he deserved his first booking, but Scotty's was a stupid one to pick up."

Macclesfield are something of a surprise package in the Coca Cola League Two this season.

They currently stand sixth place in the table and Barrow reckons that's all down to their manager Brian Horton.

"Brian's got a good track record in the game and knows what he wants from his players," he said.

"He's brought one or two in and has had a bit of backing, but even so I was a bit surprised at the start they had.

"They now have Tony Barras in defence, he's a good player who we were interested in during the summer.

"If we were as tight as them at the back we'd be top of the league."

Youngster Colin Kazim-Richards will retain his place in the squad following his debut on Tuesday but will probably be on the bench.

"I thought he did well on the night," added Barrow.

"Colin is strong for his age and can cope with the physical side of the game.

"With the small size of our squad he's another option for us now, but we must be sensible with him."

Kick-off at Gigg Lane is 3pm.