BURY’S players should be excited rather than nervous as they head into their promotion decider at Tranmere, says experienced midfielder Tom Soares.

The 28-year-old suffered final-day heartache at Crystal Palace a decade ago in his first full season as a professional.

The Eagles conceded an 82nd minute equaliser at Charlton to be relegated from the Premier League, with Bryan Robson’s West Brom staying up at their expense.

But Soares is relishing the opportunity to banish those memories with the Shakers, who can earn automatic promotion from League Two if they win at relegated Tranmere and third-placed Southend fail to beat Morecambe.

“What a great time of the season, this is what we have been playing for and it keeps you going,” said Soares, who scored the opener in Bury’s 2-0 win afainst AFC Wimbledon last Saturday to set up the tense finale.

“Sometimes nerves are not such a bad thing, but it’s going to be exciting more than anything.

“We can’t get too carried away, though, we just have to go out there, enjoy the game and we will see what happens at the end of it.”

Unlike Crystal Palace in the 2004/05 season, Bury’s season will not be over if results go against them on the final day.

They are already assured a top-five finish, guaranteeing a place in the play-offs and home advantage in the second leg of the semi-finals.

The Shakers will not even have to confront a Tranmere side fighting for survival after their relegation from the Football League was confirmed last Saturday.

But while Soares says Bury will be going out all guns blazing, he does not expect their Prenton Park opponents to meekly surrender.

“You have got to approach it like we have all season. You have got to go out there and try to win and see what happens,” he said.

“It’s difficult, after Tranmere were relegated, but I’m pretty sure it is going to be a tough game.

“Every game on the final day, when you are playing for something, is a tough game.

“It is their final home game so they will want to play for their fans.

“All we can do is go out and do whatever we can. We can’t worry about other scores.”

Whatever the outcome of today’s match, Soares is confident he has enough juice left in the tank for the play-offs, should it come to that.

There will be little time to rest ahead of the first leg, which will be played either next Saturday or Sunday (May 9 or 10), before the second leg the following week on Thursday, May 14.

In previous years that might have been a daunting prospect for Soares, who has been blighted by hamstring problems throughout his career.

But after making 48 appearances and scoring seven goals – his best ever tally – this season, the Reading-born midfielder feels ready for the challenge.

“I feel pretty good, to be fair,” he said.

“Since I have been here I have struggled with a few injuries but this season I have been pretty fortunate.

“I have been working hard on not getting injured. There are things you can do in the gym and with the physios. I have been doing a few extra things and they have been working.”