NEIL BONNAR previews Bury's vital clash at Darlington tomorrow where victory could see them promoted BURY today warned their expectant fans: "Put the champagne on ice."

Victory at high-flting Darlington tomorrow could see the Shakers promoted to the Second Division.

But goalkeeper Lee Bracey insisted: "We won't count our chickens too soon."

Bury's caution is typical of their patient, professional approach to their promotion campaign.

And it is wise, too, after all the intriguing twists and turns of a gripping battle to climb out of the basement division.

Promotion will be theirs if they win tomorrow and Plymouth, Wigan and Hereford all fail to win their away fixtures.

While the optimism reaches fever pitch in the stands and terraces after ten wins from the last 14 games, it will not be lost on the Shakers that defeat tomorrow could open the way for their rivals to snatch the third automatic promotion spot from under the noses of Stan Ternent's men. Tuesday night's eleventh away win at Scunthorpe - which left them needing just one more victory on their travels to equal the highest ever number of away wins in a season set in 1960/61 - combined with dream results elsewhere left Bury with the scent of success in their nostrils.

Bracey added: "I think that win will really have dented the confidence of Wigan and Plymouth but we can't look any further than tomorrow's match at Darlington.

"It's a massive game for the players and there will be a great atmosphere but there's no reason for us to fear anyone."

Darlington will see the game as their last chance to challenge for automatic promotion as victory tomorrow followed by another three points at Hereford on Tuesday would move them to within a point of Bury.

"I expect them to come at us but that will suit us," Bracey predicted.

"Our back four has been superb this season and we have players who can score goals so I reckon we're in the driving seat." Bury will be backed by more than a thousand fans and Bracey pinpointed them as the secret weapon in the recent victories at Scarborough and Scunthorpe.

"Our fans were superb in those two games and, indeed, all season. They outsang the home supporters but for the life of me I can't work out why they don't get behind us like that at home.

"The way the results have gone recently means it's not out of the question that we can win the title. But we have tricky games tomorrow and at Exeter next week and we have got to carry on doing what we have been doing recently - that way I'm sure we won't have a problem." Promotion would put the icing on the cake for Bracey who has been a major beneficiary of Ternent's 'play well and you keep your shirt' policy.

"There's nothing worse than being left out after you think you have done well," he admits.

"It has happened to me before and I was devastated. This is the longest run in the first team I have had for two seasons.

"Results are going well and I'm happy with my form so I can't ask for more."

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