BURY went into Saturday's Coca Cola League Two clash at Mansfield looking to end October unbeaten - so boss Graham Barrow was satisfied to leave with a point after the home side completely dominated.

He must also have been happy with the Saturday teatime draw which gave Shakers a home tie with Vauxhall Motors on the weekend of November 13-14.

Barrow said of the Mansfield game: "The players worked hard even though four or five of them have been suffering from flu this week.

"We had a couple of half-chances and with a calm, cool head in the six-yard box, we might just have nicked the win.

"But I have no complaints as we've come to a place where it is very hard to get anything, and got a result, and it's a step in the right direction."

Barrow has been well pleased with the consistency of his team during the early part of the campaign and despite a poor September results-wise, they currently sit a mere seven points behind current leaders Scunthorpe .

"If we keep having a month like this one has gone we won't be far off," he declared.

"It would be nice to see it out undefeated after the September we had.

"Ideally Id like to reach the New Year still in the FA Cup and nicely placed in the league, then we could say wed had a really good first half of the season."

But he admitted that the two drawn home games that followed the impressive 2-1 victory at Darlington two weeks ago was a disappointing return.

"We won a fantastic football match at Darlington against a team that were in form, but I dont think we deserved to lose either of the Boston or Rushden matches," he added.

"We haven't looked second best in any of our games so far this season and that has to give you encouragement.

"If we'd drawn at Darlington then maybe drawn then won our two home games, people might have looked at our position differently.

"The thing is we are still handily placed and another good result at the weekend could boost us even more.

"Any team that can string three wins together could really make a mark on the division."

The only injury worries Barrow has ahead of tomorrow are defender Lee Unsworth (rib) and striker Chris Porter, who has been suffering from a bug that has gone around the dressing-room.

Unsworth this week had an x-ray on his injury and, thankfully, there wasn't a break and will be monitored ahead of tomorrow's trip.

Meanwhile Porter is expected to make a full recovery from his trouble.

"It's also make or break time for Graeme Jones, who is in his last week at the FA's Lilleshall Rehabilitation Centre with his injured calf.

Jones' absence has been a thorn in the side for Barrow who misses the option of playing an out-and-out target man.

"Ideally Graeme will be back next week and can play in the reserves," he said.

"If he can do something for us from December onwards itll be alright but we do need something from him."

The manager also believes that a bit of luck could be due in the coming weeks, especially with refereeing decisions.

"A penalty would be nice for a change," he said.

"We haven't had one this season and I thought we had two good shouts for one last weekend.

"Danny Swailes was definitely pulled back for one but we don't seem to be getting that rub of the green at present."

That's not a problem for the Shakers second string who continued their undefeated start to the season with a 0-0 draw against a strong Rochdale side in midweek.

And they young guns are doing it with a relatively young side which augurs well for the future.

"Only Dave Flitcroft, Paul Scott and Simon Whaley turned out this week against Rochdale with the rest of the lads 17 or 18 years old, Im very pleased with them," he added.

"They are consistently playing with only one or two first teamers to bolster the side so are doing very well indeed.

"Though reserve results arent that important, they are enjoying their undefeated run and the future of the club looks good if they continue to progress."

Last season's trip to Nottinghamshire resulted in an eight goal thriller with the Shakers on the end of a 5-3 scoreline.

This season the Stags haven't been quite so prolific and are a point ahead of the Gigg Lane men in the table.

"Early last year they were on fire and probably the best attacking team in the league," he said.

"They like to have a go at you, which could suit us, but we aren't kidding ourselves, we know were in for a tough game."