WHILE Bury were being relegated from Division Two last season Stoke City were leaving through the opposite door but the Shakers are in no mood to let that two section difference get in the way of a lucrative cup run.

The Potters are the visitors to Gigg Lane tonight in the first round of the Worthington Cup (7.45pm) and the high-flying Shakers are hell bent on producing an upset and earn themselves a possible draw against Premiership big boys.

And Andy Preece's options have been boosted with both loan signings striker Pawel Abbott and midfielder Terry Dunfield given clearance by their clubs Preston and Manchester City to play for the Shakers.

Underdogs

"I'm really excited about this game, " said Preece. "We know we are underdogs and not expected to win but shocks happen every season and we are in a great position to pull one off.

"I know their manager Steve Cotterill has said that his squad isn't as strong as it was last season as he has lost a few players.

"Yet we didn't deserve to lose to them when they played at Gigg Lane last year.

"We know they are a good side and did well to win promotion but we have nothing to fear.

"Things are coming together for us, we are playing with confidence and scoring goals and if anyone is going to pick one of our games to watch this is it."

The boss was delighted with Friday's result against York City and will be looking for a similar scoreline tonight.

And he's hoping for an increased gate with entry reduced to £10 for adults and £5 concessions on the night.

"I think York are the best team we've come up against and I felt we answered a few questions on the night," he said.

"It was a soft goal we gave away and we invited a bit of pressure in the second half and panic set in. But the lads defended for their lives and I think we deserved the points for our first half performance alone."