ANGRY Bury manager Andy Preece has slammed club bosses for selling midfield ace Jason Jarrett from under his nose.

The 22-year-old first team star, who Preece signed from Wrexham less than two years ago, was yesterday sold to Division Two rivals Wigan for a knockdown fee of £75,000.

Preece had originally turned down Latics' offer, claiming it was not a fair price for one of his key players, but was left fuming after Shakers' directors and administrators overruled his decision.

"To say that I'm disappointed is putting it lightly," he said.

"I know the club needs money but I feel that £75,000 is not even half of what he's worth. I made my feelings clear but the matter went out of my hands at the last minute.

"I feel Wigan have got an absolute steal. The lad has nowhere near fulfilled his potential yet but he still gives you 100 per cent in every game. I feel we will miss him because he is a different sort of midfielder to what we have got. He gives us more options.

"I paid nothing for him and he was only on just over £100 a week and that shows the type of player we have to bring here.

"It's really frustrating to see him leave and I just hope it doesn't happen to any other players that I have brought in for nothing and worked really hard on.

"It doesn't look like that's going to be totally up to me. I will have to ask the administrators if they are now going to sell Jon Newby, Paddy Kenny, Michale Nelson and Jamie Stuart!"

Jarrett's departure has left Preece with the difficult task of spreading his already limited resources even further for the remainder of Bury's survival battle, starting with the crucial six-pointer at Northampton Town tomorrow.

Chris Billy, Bhaichung Bhutia, David Borley, Nicky Hill, Jon Newby and Steve Redmond are on a lengthening injury list and hopes of bringing fresh blood in to boost the squad have been crushed by an embargo from the Professional Footballers' Association, who have loaned cash to Bury to help dig the Gigg lane outfit out of their financial crisis.

"We aren't in a situation where we can bring someone in, so this doesn't make things any easier for us," said Preece.

"Now we've got no-one to take his place. We've got a load of injuries and three of our players are suspended from Monday in Paul Reid, Sam Collins and maybe Danny Swailes.

"So the Northampton game is obviously massive for us."