BURY are aiming for a fifth successive home win against Bristol City tonight - the best run since Andy Preece took over as manager.

Suddenly, inspired by the recent Shakers survival, all the talk has switched from doom and gloom to hopes of pushing up towards the top half of the league.

It would be dangerous to get carried away and Preece is sensible enough to know that his team are not out of trouble yet by any means.

However, he is certainly more content than he was a few weeks ago when the critics tipping the Shakers to go down were rubbing their hands with glee.

"We have had a very good run lately and it would be great if we could keep it going and get five home wins on the trot," admitted the manager, ahead of tonight's big clash, kick off 7.45pm.

"We're pulling away from the danger zone but we are not out of it yet and we have to keep our concentration and keep working hard.

"Bristol City are a very good team and although they've had a bad run lately - Danny Wilson's team have lost four out their last five matches - that is always dangerous. Bad runs have to come to an end somewhere and I hope it's not here. "Last season they were one of the best teams we played against but hopefully we should have enough about us to do the job."

Main dangerman for Bristol City is nine-goal dangerman Tony Thorpe, though tricky winger Scott Murray can also be a threat and always seems to play well against Bury.

For the Shakers, only Jon Newby suffered a reaction to the tough FA cup game at Lincoln on Saturday and will have a fitness test on a thigh strain today. He should play. Paul Reid, however, will be lucky to feature after missing training yesterday with flu.

"We'll see how he is but there's only a slight chance he'll be ready," added Preece.

Meanwhile, giant Mali trialist Abdou Tangara will play in tomorrow's reserve match at Stockport County. Tangara is hoping to do enough to earn a contract at Gigg Lane and Preece will make a decision after the match. Paul O'Shaughnessy and Nicky Hill are also hoping to make their comebacks after injury, as is the boss himself after his recent knee and back problems.