SHAKERS' striker Matthew Tipton is a man on a mission.

In the coming weeks, the prolific hitman is determined to score the goals that will banish any worries about League safety.

Tipton, who has been troubled by a hernia problem since arriving on a free transfer from Field Mill in August, has looked to be getting back to his lethal best in the past two games following an operation.

He grabbed the late leveller in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against bottom club Rushden and Diamonds and though his crucial strike was only his second goal of the campaign he is determined it won't be his last.

"I've had a stop-start season so far and the Bury fans haven't seen the best of me by a long way," the 25-year-old admitted.

"I'm not flying yet and it's going to take me a few more games to get scoring regularly, but I want to prove to our supporters that I am here to do a good job.

"I'll keep this team in the league if it's the last thing I do in football!"

The Welshman knows all about relegation battles from his time with Oldham Athletic and Macclesfield Town and he reckons a scoring sequence now would be timely.

"When I score, I normally go on a run and hopefully I'll do that now.

"I've had 50 goals in the last three years, which averages about 17 for the season.

"There is a long way to go in the season and none of the teams at the bottom are cast adrift by a long stretch," he added.

No-one will be hoping Tipton achieves his aim more than Bury boss Chris Casper, beginning in Saturday's home match against Oxford United (3pm).

With striker Jake Speight (groin) back in contention for a first team place on Saturday, and left-back Tom Kennedy (stomach strain) returned to full fitness, the manager has a few more options than of late.

But on the minus side of the equation, strikers Allan Smart (knee), and Jon Newby (achilles), are to see specialists regarding their problems and could be out for some time.

Oxford, managed by Brian Talbot, aren't exactly firing on all cylinders themselves and have drawn three and lost three of their last six games.

One thing that surely must improve on Saturday is the gate.

Tuesday evening's match, admittedly on a shocking night for weather, attracted a pitiful crowd of 1,777 and was the second-lowest league attendance of the season at Gigg.

It was a figure that is sure to cause furrowed brows in the boardroom.