PHIL Parkinson is working to ensure his in-form Wanderers do not under-estimate the challenge posed by derby rivals Bury on Monday.

Though the Whites are flying in League One after four straight wins, the ever-practical manager is not getting carried away with current form.

The Shakers have lost their last five in all competitions but with the Sky TV cameras in attendance and local pride at stake, Parkinson – himself a former Bury player – is demanding focus.

“Of course we’ll go into it in good spirits,” he said. “They are a good side and we’ll have to be at our best. People think Bury is a small club but they’ve probably spent as much trying to get out of this division as anyone in the last two years.

“They’re not ‘small Bury’ or ‘little Bury’ they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We have got to be ready to go there and stand up, like we did at Millwall, because winning football games is very tough. It takes an incredible effort from everybody.”

Though David Flitcroft’s budget was curbed in the summer he has still been able to bring in some pedigree names such as ex-Wanderer Neil Danns, former Everton front man James Vaughan and, most recently, powerful ex-West Brom and Manchester City striker Ishmael Miller.

But, much like Parkinson, the Shakers boss saw his fortunes turn for the worse after receiving the manager of the month award for September. A six-game winning streak has now run dry, leaving Bury just outside the play-off positions. To make matters worse, news of a fourth winding up petition of 2016 also emerged yesterday to raise concern among Shakers supporters.

It is the first time the two clubs have met in the league since 1999 and Parkinson is well aware that, for the fans at least, the result is of paramount importance.

“It’s a local derby and we want to win it for our supporters, who will again be there in large numbers,” he said. “We need to stick with what has got us on this run, play to the structure and work very hard for the result.”

Wanderers have now completely sold out their allocation at Gigg Lane after the final 600 tickets were snapped up less than 24 hours after the 2-0 win at Millwall.