CHRIS Casper has made a few hard decisions in the final weeks of the season as Bury battled for their League survival.

And heés got plenty more to make in the coming months to avoid a similar dogfight next term.

This draw was good enough for the Shakers to beat the drop for the Shakersbut they might have finished with all three points apart from conceding two goals in the last four minutes.

Now, Casper must decide which players heés keeping and those heés letting go to make Bury competitive at the right end of the table.

Many of the players Casper inherited from previous boss Graham Barrown and being very much his own man, the Football Leagueés youngest manager wants to mould a side in his own image.

éWe can now start to focus on next season,é said a relieved Casper. éIn fact, in the last couple of weeks Iéve started to think about that.

Pride

éI wasnét over confident but youéve got to be pro active and Iéve already got one or two things lined up. At one stage though we were in free-fall but at the end it was our professional pride that has seen us through.é

Most of Buryés squad are out of contract this summer which could leave Casper with a new canvas to work with.

There are certainly players heéll need to keep but finding a fit and prolific striker must be one of his priorities.

However, at Meadow Lane it was stopping goals rather than scoring them that proved a problem. Dwayne Mattis, picked instead of %tonsilitis sufferer Dave Flitcroft, and substitute Tom Youngs put Bury 2-0 up with four minutes left.

Instead, the Magpies ralled and saved the game with strikes of their own from Dan Martin and Julian Baudet.

éIt was a job well done in the end,é said Casper. éBut we were disappointed not to win the game and there are some lads with their heads down.

éAnd I find that pleasing because they have got professional pride. Youéve got to say overall ités been a successful day if you consider where we could have been.é

How would you re-shape the Shakers squad? Have your say.