BURY manager David Flitcroft believes the postponement of Saturday’s match at Accrington Stanley could work in his side’s favour in tonight’s crunch clash at Mansfield.

Their opponents came from two goals down to pick up a point at home to Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend and move five places above the Shakers in the League Two table.

But a win for Bury tonight would see them leapfrog the Stags on goal difference.

And Flitcroft is confident the extra time off to train and prepare for the game following Saturday’s wash-out will increase their chances of victory.

“It was a negative day (on Saturday), but it’s how you draw the positives from that,” said the Shakers boss.

“We started building towards Mansfield as soon as we got on the coach (to leave Accrington).

“It was business as usual for us in many ways as we had an indoor facility we could go to to train and get our work done for Mansfield.”

While his players may have been eager to build on a hard-earned point at home to promotion-chasers Burton Albion the previous weekend, Flitcroft was glad of the extra time to incorporate his new signings - strikers Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Clive Platt and attacking midfielder Andrew Tutte.

Flitcroft confirmed all three players would have been included in his matchday squad at Accrington and hinted they will all have a part to play at the One Call Stadium tonight.

“Why wouldn’t you want to utilise the qualities they offer?” he said.

“Jean-Louis has pace, power and penetration - he causes problems.

“Clive’s hold-up play is one of the best in the league and Andrew Tutte is a formidable midfield player who can execute, create and score goals, which we’ve not really got from a central position.”

Tutte could well be thrown straight in, in place of Ashley Grimes, to play as the link between midfield and attack, while Anton Forrester may lose his starting spot alongside senior striker Daniel Nardiello.

Platt could well get the nod for that role as Flitcroft anticipates a “battle” against a Mansfield side known for their aggressive style.

“There are different ways to win football matches - at Mansfield, we know it will be a battle and it will be a contest, but that’s what football is,” he said.

“It can be a war of attrition at times and I have got to prepare a team to be ready for that.

“I will go into the game and prepare to try to win the football match.

“Whether we do that through tactics, through possession, or we choose to try and go down the sides of them, we will try to find those areas to hit them.”