BURY have moved quickly to head off a goalkeeping crisis by signing Stockport County’s Owain Fon Williams on a two-month loan deal.

With regular number one Cameron Belford sidelined for around eight weeks with a broken cheekbone, it left 19-year-old Richie Branagan – the son of former Wanderers keeper Keith – as the club’s only fit goalkeeper.

But, with manager Alan Knill preferring a more experienced option than a player who only made his Football League debut as a substitute for the injured Belford on Saturday, a deal was struck with the Hatters.

“We had a list of goalkeepers as long as my arm and Owain was at the top of it,” said Knill, of the 23-year-old Welsh international.

“But, because Owain played for a team in our league, I didn’t think we could get him.

“We worked around that and spoke with other clubs but Owain’s agent and Stockport both said it was possible so we did the deal.

“He’s been promoted from this division with Stockport so he knows all about the league and what it takes to get out of it.

“Owain fits the bill and we are hopeful he does well for us and himself because it was only a year ago when he was being linked with some big clubs.

“The big thing for us was that he can play in the FA Cup next weekend. That sealed the deal really.”

Knill has sat down with Branagan to explain his decision, but the teenager could still get his chance with Williams unable to play against his parent club Stockport when the two teams meet in League Two on November 13.

“In time Richie will be a really good keeper,” said Knill. “With young players they want it all right now but they have to be patient until we think the time is right for them.

“We sat down and spoke to Richie and said he was fantastic on Saturday – just what we needed – but we don’t think he is ready to start a game right now.”

Belford is joined by Andy Bishop (tendonitis) on the treatment table as Bury look to consolidate their position in the top three against last season’s losing play-off semi-finalists Aldershot tomorrow afternoon.