SHAKERS boss Graham Barrow was philosophical about his side's inability to pick up a win from their two home matches last week.

Following on from last weekend's victory at Darlington it was a chance spurned to push themselves among the early pacesetters in Coca Cola League Two.

"Without being negative I would have taken four points from the two home games after winning at Darlington, but continuing our unbeaten run is the only good thing to come out of it," he said.

"If we'd have drawn at Darlington then won one of our home matches we might have felt better psychologically, but at least there is a consistency about our play at the moment.

"I still think well get our just desserts at the end of the season."

The Bury boss believes visiting teams are treating the Shakers with a lot more respect, borne out by the tactics they employ when they come to Gigg Lane.

"We are not the favourites to go down like we were in August," he said.

"People in the game know what we are capable of and are paying us due respect.

"On Saturday Rushden took a striker off and reverted to 4-5-1, they looked happy with a point.

"But we really need to start killing teams off at home.

"We went with three strikers on Saturday but it didn't quite work out for us."

With Graeme Jones still under medical supervision for his troublesome calf injury, the Shakers boss is still without the recognised target man he believes would benefit the side immensely.

He admitted to being envious at Grimsby Town's ability to sign Stockport County striker Jon Daly on a month loan, a player Barrow has coveted since bringing him to Gigg on loan for a spell at the turn of the year.

"Seeing Jon go to Grimsby did hurt a bit," he declared.

"It would have been nice to have introduced him to the dressing room for a month, at least until Graeme is back with us.

"He has another week at Lilleshall but then will need a few games to get himself match fit.

"Young Colin Kazim-Richards is doing okay but we need someone else if we are to be a force.

It would have been great to have Jonesy fit or someone else to throw on at the weekend.

And Barrow hasn't ruled out playing big central defender Danny Swailes up front in a bid to give the forwards a bit more muscle.

"Its an option, especially as Paul Scott could fill in for him," he said.

"Danny started his career as a striker and looks more than comfortable there in training."