BURY have thrown their full support behind Chris Casper despite their FA Cup expulsion - by offering him a new two-and-a-half year deal.

The Shakers boss has been offered an extension to his contract - just seven days after the League Two club's appeal to be reinstated in the competition was rejected by the Football Association.

The Gigg Lane outfit hope Casper will put pen to paper in the next few days, in a deal which will keep him at the club until 2009.

Casper offered his resignation after finding he had made the mistake which led to his side fielding an ineligible player, Stephen Turnbull, in their third round replay against Chester.

But the Shakers board have been quick to back their manager, considered one of the brightest young prospects outside the Premiership, with a 30-month contract extension.

"It's great boost," said Casper. "The contract is still under negotiation but it is a real privilege to be offered a contract extension.

"It shows I am trying to do the right things and take the club in the right direction."

Club director Iain Mills added: "That shows how much belief we have in him.

"We have a bright young manager - who does make one or two mistakes - but there are also one or two very good players that we want to keep.

"Our intention now is to look for a play-off place or even automatic promotion. We want to do better than we did last year."

Bury, who were due to face Championship side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, had been hopeful the FA would overturn the original ruling last Thursday at Soho Square.

But a three-man panel took just five minutes to uphold the punishment - making the Shakers the only professional club ever to have been kicked out of the FA Cup.

"We were disappointed, angry and frustrated," said Casper.

"We had a strong case and we've been treated the same as a team that didn't own up to it and tried to hide their mistake.

"If that's justice, the FA can keep their justice as far as I'm concerned. It's a weak decision.

"The longer the process went on, the more things came out about people being kicked out of the FA Cup.

"I think there have been more ineligible players played because it's only come out when teams have won the game.