ALL thoughts of Bury’s impending televised FA Cup tie at local rivals Rochdale will be put to one side when they travel to face League One title chasers Gillingham today.

The Shakers’ second-round derby clash at Spotland will be shown live on BT Sport on Sunday, December 7, netting the club a £72,000 cash windfall.

Bury boss David Flitcroft believes the draw is just reward for the side’s dedicated travelling support, who cheered on his players to a nine-month unbeaten run on the road this year before last month’s defeat at Bradford.

But the 41-year-old Bolton-based coach has put the FA Cup to the back of his mind as he prepares his side for a run of four league games against some of the form sides in the division, starting with third-placed Gillingham today.

“If I am being honest, there is no time at all to even think about the game (against Rochdale), as we have four massive games to get through before,” said Flitcroft.

Bury host second-placed Burton next Saturday and Scunthorpe, who have won five of their last six games, the following Tuesday.

They then face a trip to Millwall, who are seventh, a place below Bury in the table, before Flitcroft’s focus can switch fully to the FA Cup and a first return to Spotland as opposition manager since leaving his role there as current boss Keith Hill’s assistant in June 2011.

“The four teams to navigate through are either in the top of the form league or near the top of the table, so my full focus and attention will be to plan and prepare the team and staff for this crucial period of the season,” he said.

“But it’s a fantastic draw for everyone connected to the club and a great draw for both sets of supporters and for North West football in general.

“I believe this is a reward for the players, for their quality of work, their commitment and the overall performance shown during the (4-0) win against Wigan Athletic in the first round.

“It is also a reward for our away following, who were instrumental in our unbeaten run.

“Together we have shared some fantastic away-day memories and we will endeavour to keep making more and more.”

The first FA Cup encounter between the two sides since 2003, when Rochdale earned their one and only victory over the Shakers in the competition in five attempts, is sure to capture the imagination of the fans.

Bury took 2,000 supporters to Spotland the last time they played there in the league two seasons ago, so there is sure to be a decent attendance.

And with the two clubs sharing the gate receipts, whatever the result, the match will be a welcome boost to the coffers.

In addition to money taken at the turnstiles, all teams chosen for a live televised game in the second round receive £72,000.

And the winners will scoop an extra £27,000 in prize money to add to the £18,000 they earned for victory in the first round, while a place in the hat for the third round comes with the potential of an even more lucrative draw.

Flitcroft added: “I am delighted for the chairman and the directors. It is their reward for the dedication and commitment they show to the club every day.

“Nobody works harder than our chairman and the financial gain will be a massive boost for the plans for continual progression of the club and the building of improved infrastructure to ensure we keep moving forward.”