BURY boss Andy Preece has paid tribute to Jon Newby after his goal drought came to an end at Hartlepool this week.

The Shakers star striker hadn't been on the scoresheet since the opening game of the season - a worrying twelve games without finding the net.

But on Tuesday he popped up with the golden goal that sets the Gigg Lane men up with a LDV Vans Trophy second round home tie against Notts County later this month.

That's two goals in the only two victories the club have enjoyed this term but Preece was fully confident that the talismanic Newby would get back on track.

"Even though he hasn't been scoring he's really worked his socks off and thoroughly deserved to score on Tuesday," reckoned Preece.

"It's something that happens to all strikers in the game, no matter who you are.

"When I was at Blackpool I went about fifteen matches without a goal as the start of the season but the manager kept faith in me and I ended up with fifteen goals at the end.

"That's how your fortune can change if you're a striker, you just have to keep going and persevere."

Preece will be hoping that the former Liverpool man can set up another win tomorrow when Chesterfield are the visitors to Gigg.

Still looking for their first home success of the season everyone at the club is keen to make sure the four point gap that separates the Shakers from the rest of the Second Division isn't allowed to get any wider.

Preece's hopes of a stronger squad to pick from may not materialise with Chris Billy (abductor), Ian Lawson (hamstring), Sam Collins (foot) and Ian Seddon (deadleg) all picking up knocks over the past few days.

Of the quintet Collins and Lawson have an outside chance of facing the Spireites who the Bury boss believes will be a tough test.