BURY have been handed a bye in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

They are one of eight club's, announced by the Football League, to be given a route straight through to the second round in the competition's northern section.

Port Vale, Tranmere, Walsall, Burton, Doncaster, Hartlepool and Sheffield United have also been handed a bye.

The remaining sides in the competition will learn their fate on Saturday, August 16, when the draw for the first round is made.

The Football League also announced yesterday that referees in the JPT will trial the use of vanishing paint, adopted in the World Cup to mark out 10 yards for players standing in the wall at free-kicks.