DANNY Rose is standing firm – maintaining his claim to Saturday’s opening goal despite some heavy barracking from his own team-mates.

The former Barnsley striker was credited with the second-minute strike despite clearly not getting a touch after Tom Pope's header was turned in by Blackpool defender David Ferguson.

But OPTA, the official statistician for the Football League, awarded the goal to Rose and with no dubious goals panel it looks set to stand, much to the amusement of Rose’s strike partner Pope.

After Rose added a second goal to his tally in Saturday’s 4-3 win, moving to five goals for the season, level with Pope, the pair took to Twitter on Sunday to debate the issue.

Pope tweeted: “My Sunday team have won 12-0 today and even though Danny rose was 100 miles away in Barnsley he's claimed seven of them! Well played Dan.”

And injured team-mate Craig Jones could not help but get in on the social media “banter”.

“Can't believe he's claiming those goals. I was closer in the stand,” the Welsh winger tweeted.

“He's since tried saying that Soarsy's goal hit him on the way in and he wants the match ball.”

Jokes aside, Rose again proved he has a knack of getting in the right place at the right time for Bury.

He took his overall tally for the Shakers in the league to 19 from 51 appearances.

And with the club’s leading goalscorer, Leon Clarke, missing Saturday’s victory on compassionate leave, he is eager to stake a claim for a more regular start.

"I hope so – there's Popey, there's Leon and there's me, so we'll see what happens, but I'm pleased I got the two today," he said, tongue not so firmly in his cheek.

Bury certainly need Rose to be firing on all cylinders, with Clarke given time to be with his mother, who is seriously ill, and second string strikers Hallam Hope and Anthony Dudley loaned to Carlisle and Guiseley respectively.

The Shakers are also nursing back Ryan Lowe and Danny Nardiello from injuries, meaning Rose could be guaranteed a regular start.

But he continues to be dogged by fitness problems of his own after limping off with cramp on 78 minutes against Blackpool.

"I don't think I've ever been there, to be honest with you,” said Rose, referring to his fitness.

"I took a few knocks and cramped up around the 75th minute so that was me, but I was pleased to get 75 minutes.”

A run of games would clearly benefit the 21-year-old, with Rose only managing four starts in his 11 appearances this season.

But if he continues to struggle to last the pace, it looks like Dudley could be knocking on the door.

After earning a pro contract following a prodigious campaign for the youth team last season, Dudley, aged 19, scored twice on his debut for National League side Guiseley in a 2-0 win against Welling United.

And Guiseley manager Mark Bower was suitably impressed.

"Duds came to us highly recommended by a very trusted person and he did really well," said Bower.

"His two goals have given us a platform from which to build.

"He has probably not played in his best position but still done the business and has certainly put pressure on other people to keep on their toes to stay in the side – and that's what it's all about."