Bury caretaker boss Richie Barker has cooled talk of promotion after a fourth win on the bounce put the Shakers within touching distance of League One.

Since Alan Knill’s departure to Scunthorpe wins over Oxford, Northampton, Burton and Barnet have lifted Bury up to second in League Two, five points clear of fourth-place Shrewsbury.

With just four games to go their fate is in their own hands but Barker has warned his players of the dangers of looking beyond the next game, when Lincoln visit Gigg Lane on
Friday.

“People keep talking about the finishing line,” said Barker.

“But we don’t look any further than the next game on Friday.

“The key for us is preparing for the next game and obviously trying to keep everyone fit. The key for us is the next game then we’ll see where we go from there.”

First-half goals from Nicky Ajose – his 12th of the season since joining on loan from Manchester United – and a fizzer from Mike Jones were enough to keep Bury clear of the pack and deepen Barnet’s relegation worries.

Barker singled out centre-half Ben Futcher, who replaced the suspended Efe Sodje, for special praise as Bury kept their fourth clean sheet in five games and said the 29-year-old’s experience would be vital during the run in.

“It was important that we played our own game by passing the ball which is what we did in the first-half,” said Barker.

“From a defensive point of view it was important that we stopped their main threat which was balls into the box, set pieces and long throws.”

He added: “Ben Futcher came in and he didn’t let us down. I never had any doubts with him as soon as I knew Efe Sodje was out.

“He’s had five or six play-off campaigns and he knows what it’s all about. As well as the defending, he was out there for his experience. He’s an important part of the squad.

“His attitude, not only since I came in, but with Alan Knill as well, is absolutely brilliant, especially for someone who doesn’t play that often.”

:: Ryan Lowe and Joe Skarz made the League Two Team of the Year at the PFA awards on Sunday night.

BURY: Belford 7, Picken 6 (Bennett 9, 7), Skarz 7, Lees 7, Futcher 7, M Jones 8 (Haworth 83), Worrall 7, Schumacher 7, Sweeney 7, Lowe 7, Ajose 8 (John-Lewis 86). Not used: Branagan, A Jones, McCarthy, Harrop.

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