BURY boss Andy Preece has hailed striker Jon Newby for a season of heroic performances in a troubled year for the Shakers writes Chris Hall

A relegation dogfight can often pose tremendous difficulties for goal poachers, with scoring chances few and far between for the division's basement clubs.

But, despite still learning the ropes in his first full season of league football, the 23-year-old Warrington born front man has been one of Bury's most consistent performers and a thorn in the side of many rival defences.

Even in Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Notts County, arguably Bury's worst performance of the season, Newby rose above the mire to shine with an outstanding individual performance which so richly deserved a goal to add to his tally of six for the season.

But Preece said such a tirelessly hard-working and creative display was nothing new from the man he signed for a bargain £100,000 from Premiership giants Liverpool 12 months ago.

"He's another of those players having their first full season with us," he said.

"He has played in the reserves for a season but that's only 20 games and that's nothing like the 40 odd you get in Second Division football. This is a highly competitive level, so to be as dominant as he has is incredible.

"Jon always looks like scoring and was very unlucky not to grab a couple on Saturday, even though we lost 4-0.

"He's a credit to play with and has fought on through ankle injuries and knocks that people don't know about. For him to play on through all that for the good of the team has been a magnificent effort and shows the great commitment he has given to the club."

Commitment is something Shakers thankfully have in abundance, with one of the most closely-knit squads in English football.

And Preece will need to harness all of that team spirit if they are to keep themselves above the relegation trap door during their final seven matches - particularly after the miserable defeat to their survival rivals last weekend.

"They are an honest bunch of lads and they were absolutely gutted by that performance, especially after the way they played in the two matches before it. They know how important this is to the club," said Preece.

"But they have not let their heads go down and they are a real credit to the club. We let everyone down but it's very rare that we have been able to say that this season.

"Even when we were getting beat week after week, you could never fault the lads' attitude or effort."