BURY FC's fight for First Division survival is about to be tested to the limit by a freak disciplinary problem.

No fewer than six Shakers players are walking a suspension tightrope that could end in tears during the crucial Easter programme.

Chris Billy, Nick Daws, Laurent D'Jaffo, Chris Lucketti, Adrian Littlejohn and Paul Williams are all one yellow card away from suspension.

And if any of the six are booked in the next three games they will miss Easter Saturday's away clash at Stockport County.

"It's the worst case scenario but theoretically we could get two players booked tomorrow, two players against Wolves on Tuesday and two next Saturday at Watford and all six would miss the Stockport match," said Shakers chief Neil Warnock.

"But that said, we haven't got to let that stop the lads tackling. We just need them to avoid getting booked stupidly for anything else."

With midfielder Darren Bullock serving the last match of his three game suspension and Mark Patterson and Lutel James still sidelined the last thing the Bury boss needs is more enforced absentees at such a crucial time of the season.

On the injury front Andy Woodward's back problem is likely to keep him out of the side for tomorrow's Barnsley game at Gigg Lane while Paul Williams has developed a knee injury that is causing concern and he was due to go for a scan on it yesterday. The Tykes, like the Shakers, are still awaiting their first league victory in 1999 preferring to save their best performances for the FA Cup.

They are due to meet Tottenham Hotspur in a rearranged quarter-final tie at Oakwell next Tuesday evening but Warnock knows they are far too professional an outfit to have one eye on that match tomorrow afternoon.

"I enjoyed my best time as a player at Oakwell," he added.

"And it'll be nice to renew some old acquaintances again but obviously our first priority will be to pick up the three points."

John Hendrie's side picked up a good point from a 3-3 draw against Bolton at the Reebok on Tuesday evening, fighting back from 2-0 down to go 3-2 up before Wanderers' substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen grabbed a late leveller.

On Wednesday evening a young Shakers second string bowed out of the Lancashire Senior Cup to their Manchester City counterparts packed with first team experience.

Tony Vaughan, Gary Mason, Richard Jobson, Nick Fenton, Danny Tiatto, Jamie Pollock, Danny Allsop and Neil Heaney all played for the Sky Blues.

"It was a good experience for our young players but City just had too much for them on the night," said Warnock.

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