SHAKERS aim to get the New Year off to a flyer when they kick-off the two-match holiday programme with a trip to Lincoln City on New Year's Day.

And, after a frustrating Christmas double, three points would go down a treat.

Boxing Day's postponed home game against Shrewsbury Town, due to their motorway hold-up, was followed by a disappointing defeat at Northampton on Tuesday when, for the umpteenth time, a sending-off scuppered the Shakers' chances.

Dave Flitcroft's dismissal for a second bookable offence at the end of the first half, was the third in four matches and manager Graham Barrow is well aware his side are going to have to clean up their act as it is costing them points.

"Colin Woodthorpe was sent off against Wycombe when we were winning, Danny Swailes was sent off against Cambridge when we were winning, we ended up drawing both those games," he explained.

"As bad as the game was against Southend, we should have got a draw out of it, and even if you accept a defeat against Northampton we'd have been five points better off.

"We've had a word with the lads and told them what's expected of them.

"It's one thing getting stuck in and picking up a yellow card but you have to have the sense to stay on the field.

"Some of our recent dismissals have been stupid ones."

One thing's for certain, Saturday's match will need 100 per cent commitment from all over the field as Lincolns physical style can be difficult to counter.

Barrow checked them out on Wednesday evening when they drew 0-0 against Grimsby Town in their Lincolnshire derby at Sincil Bank.

"You always know what to expect when you play them," added Barrow.

"When they came to Gigg earlier in the season they were looking to get their season kicked-off and they did, winning 1-0.

"Like us, they are one of eight or nine teams in our division who are yo-yoing, in and out of the play-offs and in the middle places.

"Also, they were in the same trouble as us financially not long ago, but although we've matched them on the field, off it we obviously haven't.

"But when the club is in financial trouble you have to accept it and we are the only ones who can probably lift it.

Apart from Flitcroft who is suspended for tomorrows match Barrow should have a full squad to choose from as both Swailes and Woodthorpe are back from suspension.

Striker Chris Porter (knee) should be back in the reckoning after missing the Northampton game and both Lee Unsworth (ankle) and Matt Barrass (knee) are expected to recover from slight knocks.The Lincoln clash is followed by a home encounter with Oxford United on the Holiday Monday (3pm).

Everyone connected with the club will be hoping for a bigger than average gate, especially after the Boxing Day debacle that did nothing to help the ailing finances at Gigg Lane.