BURY boss Andy Preece claims his side have finally found the consistency they need to secure promotion to Division Two.

With just five games left, Bury are still outside of the play-off zone and are yet to win two back-to-back league matches this year.

They desperately need to shed that unwanted record against strugglers Carlisle United on Saturday if they are to remain in the hunt for the top three.

But Preece has seen enough from their recent battles with Lincoln, Oxford, Darlington and Exeter to be confident of taking another three points.

"Winning two on the bounce doesn't happen often for us," he admitted.

"But we've been pretty consistent over the last four games and got two wins, a draw and a defeat to show for it.

"I think, on the whole, we have played well all season. There's only half a dozen games where we have really let ourselves down.

"I think the only reason we've not been able to string a few wins together is down to basic individual errors, like not converting chances and letting silly goals in.

"It would be nice to get back-to-back wins and certainly another two wins would propel us closer to that third position. And there's no better time to do it!"

The visit of Carlisle presents a chance for revenge against the Cumbrians, who crushed Bury's dreams of a money spinning trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in the LDV Vans Trophy earlier this season.

United's fortunes have suffered since that night at Brunton Park. They were finally undone by Bristol in last weekend's final and, with results elsewhere conspiring against them, were sent tumbling to second bottom of the Division Three table.

But memories of that extra-time defeat still haunt Shakers and their proud manager.

"We really fancied our chances in that game and felt we should have beaten them within the 90 minutes," he said.

"But that's football and credit to them for getting as far as they have.

"I thought they were unlucky to lose in the final and now they are in the drop zone, so they will be desperate for a win against us."

While the tight nature of the run-in ensures great entertainment, the fact remains that eight into one does not go.

Only one club will be joining Hartlepool and Rushden in Division Two when the next season kicks-off in August and Preece is determined to make it his.

"It's exciting but nerve wracking at the same time," he said.

"It's so close and there are going to be four or five really gutted teams at the end of the season. We just have to make sure we aren't one of them."