IT was three wins in three appearances for talismanic midfielder Lenny Johnrose at Carlisle on Saturday.

The Shakers favourite, in his second spell at the club after being released by Burnley, put in a typical all-action performance in his first game back following a hamstring injury.

Johnrose, who last week put pen to paper on a further month's contract, was delighted with the 2-1 triumph and revealed he almost signed for the Cumbrians in the summer.

"I trained with them for a couple of weeks but nothing came of it," he said. "But obviously I'm delighted to be back at Bury.

"I thought we rode our luck a bit today, especially in the second half, but the lads showed attitude and commitment to come back and win.

"Once we went in front it was vital we didn't concede again and at 2-1 up with fifteen minutes we needed to be strong."

Johnrose was an integral part of the Bury team that won promotion from Division Three in 1995-96 season and he believes the current squad aren't far off emulating that side.

"I think we are getting there slowly but surely," he added.

"There are a lot of young lads in the squad and it was always going to be tough after being relegated last season.

"But the younger players are willing to learn and if we can keep it tight we have a good chance of going up.

"When we lost to Torquay recently everyone started saying we have lost three out of four but two of those defeats were against higher opposition in cup ties.

"Looking at our league form we have now only lost one in seven so we are on a decent run.

"If we have a setback it's important we win the next game or at least make sure we don't lose it.

"Decent teams tend not to lose two or three games on the run and we have proved we can bounce back well."

Johnrose hopes he can now put the niggling hamstring strain behind him and was delighted to have gone the full distance in what was a tough encounter at Brunton Park.

"I got in 75 minutes in the reserves on Wednesday and it felt okay so I was delighted to get in 90 minutes first team action," he said.

"Hopefully I can keep on top of the problem now. I felt a bit sluggish at first but felt stronger as the match went on, I just need to get my sharpness back now but that will come in the next week or two."