PROBLEMS piled up for Bury last night after a dismal 1-0 defeat at home to Brentford.

Lloyd Owusu's 56th minute strike condemned the Shakers to defeat and left them hovering dangerously just above the relegation zone.

For the first time Andy Preece admitted afterwards that his side will be in "serious trouble" if they don't register a win soon.

And Saturday's away clash at fellow strugglers Swindon Town is now a must-win game.

"We've got to pick ourselves up because every point now is vital," said beleaguered boss Preece, who revealed he and the chairman Terry Robinson - who had an after-match meeting with the manager - were "gutted" at the result.

"We have to go to Swindon in a positive frame of mind and get a result. Everyone is pulling their weight on the pitch but we are still making individual errors which are costing us dear.

"It's not a nice situation to be in but I've got to remain upbeat and positive. If I start getting down and moping around then it will reflect on the team. "We just need a goal or a piece of individual skill to get in front. I look at myself. Is it something I'm doing? Is it the system? But if you watch our games, teams don't look like scoring against us but we fail to score and then make silly errors."