RYAN Lowe has urged his Bury players to keep upsetting League One’s promotion chasers and end a dismal season on a high.

Although the Shakers’ relegation was confirmed with defeat by Northampton, they showed some pride to draw at Doncaster three days later and followed that up by holding promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury to a 1-1 draw last Saturday.

Now Bury prepare to welcome Portsmouth for the final home game of the season this Saturday and while the Shakers’ fate has already been sealed, Pompey are still in the play-off race.

The former Premier League club go into the game in eighth, four points outside the top six with two games left, and need to win to keep alive their hopes.

“The standout from the last two games has been the effort and commitment shown by the players,” said Bury boss Lowe.

“We may be down but I am pleased to see the team is still putting the effort in and following my instructions, and I hope that continues.”

Callum Styles and Ryan Cooney maintained their run in the starting XI while fellow youngster Saul Shotton kept his place after making his league debut at Doncaster.

Joe Adams, another youth product, was on the bench for each game so could feature in Bury’s final two matches of the season, and blooding those youngsters bodes well for when the club drops back into League Two next season.

“Saul never looks out of place – whether it’s in training, with the under-23s, the u18s or the first team,” Lowe added.

“He’s top quality and was outstanding at Shrewsbury, but all the kids have been outstanding. They’re in there for a reason, because they’re good enough, so we’re really pleased for them all.”

Winger Danny Mayor (ankle) could be back in contention this Saturday after missing the draw at Shrewsbury.