I SAID there would be plenty of twists and turns in the title run-in but I don’t think anyone could have predicted what happened last Saturday against Southend.

By all accounts the referee handled the situation the best way he could and his decision to abandon the match due to a waterlogged pitch after only seven minutes was the right one.

It was unavoidable, but subsequent victories from their rivals have put the pressure squarely back on Bury as they bid to force their way into the automatic promotion places.

To fall back to seven points adrift of Shrewsbury and Wycombe, in second and third, and 10 points behind leaders Burton is a blow, especially considering they had closed the gap to Wycombe to just one point after the previous weekend’s thrilling victory over Northampton.

But, after last weekend’s events, the Easter fixtures are now absolutely crucial for Bury.

The Shakers go to Cambridge tomorrow and entertain Morecambe on Easter Monday.

Depending on whether results go for them or against them they could either close the gap back to one point or find themselves 13 points adrift.

David Flitcroft, like all managers and players do, will say his side can only concentrate on their own performance.

He is right. Bury have to win both matches to put the pressure back on their rivals.

The reality is, though, that everyone at the club will be poring over the fixtures and considering every possible permutation, just like the supporters do.

I have to hand it to Wycombe, they have responded brilliantly after the Shakers put them under real pressure.

To scrape wins at Luton and Dagenham and Redbridge after Bury had closed the gap on them showed real guts.

Looking at the rest of their fixtures, the big one that stands out is Burton on Easter Monday. Win that one and it could be the leaders, rather than Wycombe, that come into Bury’s radar.

But the game that really stands out for the Shakers is Shrewsbury at the JD Stadium on Tuesday, April 14.

If they can keep their winning run going and then take maximum points off Micky Mellon’s side, Bury will have the chance to cut the gap back down one point if they win their match in hand against Southend.

There are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes in that scenario, and the funny thing is that football matches are not won on paper.

One thing I can say, though, is there is a refreshingly positive vibe at the club.

I was speaker at a sportsman’s dinner there last week and the mood around the place was really enthusiastic.

So I hope fans get behind them and they carry that on to the pitch.