SHAKERS' strikers have finally found their shooting boots as the new season approaches.

After drawing blanks against Manchester City and Wigan Athletic Graham Barrow's side put in an impressive display before going down 4-3 against a strong Blackburn Rovers team at the Premiership outfit's impressive Brockhall training set-up.

On target for the Gigg Lane men were Graeme Jones, Chris Porter and Dwayne Mattis while Matt Jansen, Paul Gallagher, Vratty Gresko and Jay McEveley replied for Rovers

Then on Thursday, they followed up with a 4-1 defeat of Conference side Halifax Town at Gigg Lane and this time Dave Nugent (2), Jon Newby and, once again, Porter were among the goals.

Given the strength of the team Rovers' boss Graeme Souness put out, the Blackburn display was a real morale-booster for Barrow who reckoned his charges did enough to get a draw from the match.

"We've been there before and they've played an under-21 team but they must have had six or seven lads who were regular Premiership players," he said.

"The likes of Tugay, Jansen and Paul Dickov were all involved so it was a really good workout.

"It was disappointing to concede four goals but once again we were missing Glyn Garner, Dave Challinor and Tom Kennedy.

"But we were never out of the game. After going 1-0 up they went 3-1 ahead, we pulled it back to 3-2, conceded again the pulled it back to 4-3.

"We created a few more chances after that which was very encouraging."

But the Halifax game will be more the kind of encounter the Shakers will be involved in over the next nine months and there's similar opposition on Saturday when they travel to Conference North outfit Stalybridge Celtic (3pm).

Celtic are managed by a former Wigan teammate of Barrow's, Dave Miller and the Bury boss expects another tough test.

"Conference teams aren't a million miles away from Football League standard now," he said.

"It will be another good game for us, the surface is good and Blackburn themselves were down there last week."

It may be too early for Challinor and Kennedy to get back into action but both are back in training and their situations look more positive than they did a few days ago.

However, Danny Swailes' prognosis isn't too good.

The big central defender was this week down at the Lilleshall re-habilitation centre having treatment on his injured thigh and missed the club's annual media photoshoot.

"We've not had the best report in the world about Danny, it's a real blow," said Barrow.

"It was a tear in the muscle like our doctor said, and we're going to have to be ruled by the medical people.

"They've warned us to be very careful with him and we won't be taking any chances."

With a tough start to the season on the cards - Yeovil at home is followed by away trips to Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town in the space of days - there could be the need to strengthen the back-line with another recruit given Swailes's absence.

"I'll be making some enquiries in the next few days," added Barrow.

"But overall I am very happy with our progress.

"The fitness levels look good and in the Blackburn, Wigan and Manchester City games we've still been going after 90 minutes and we won't be playing teams of that quality once the season starts."