IT'S taken nearly a year, but Shakers striker Andy Preece finally won over the 'hate-mob' in the 2-1 victory over Bolton.

And after producing his best performance yet in a Bury jersey, the out-of-favour marksman declared: 'I don't know why the fans dislike me!'

The 32-year-old, who had not started in nine matches, took his chance with both hands and rolled back the years with a workaholic display.

Much to his surprise, he even received a standing ovation when walking to the touchline for treatment.

"I think the stick I have had has been a little bit unjust. Crowds take to some people and don't take to others," he said.

"I don't know why the Bury fans haven't taken to me. In my first 10 games here I played as well as I ever have. I just can't put my finger on it."

The fact that Preece has found the net only four times this campaign - the last in September - might well be the reason, but the former Blackpool star is adamant he has always given his best.

"Every one has struggled to score goals this year," he added. "Sometimes it is the way we play. You look at the likes of Tony Ellis, who didn't score that many at Bury and is now knocking them in for Stockport.

"At clubs like Crystal Palace the fans really took to me, but I didn't score that many goals for them - in fact we were relegated - but I still get a fantastic response when I go there.

"At Blackpool they took to me, eventually. I have two years left at Bury to do the same here. I will sacrifice the personal things for the right results. "The position we are in, you have to put the work in, although I felt I was doing that at the start of the season."

Preece was widely regarded as one of Bury's star men in last week's derby victory.

After running himself into the ground, he crashed to the ground in the second half with cramp.

"It was only my second game since Christmas and I think I was getting a bit tired," he said.

"I didn't expect to be sitting on the sidelines for so long this year. To be fair, I am not used to playing reserve team football, I am used to 40 first team matches a season. You have to maintain your fitness or you let yourself down when you get the chance.

"I enjoyed the game and think myself and Laurent D'Jaffo worked well together."

Preece is now determined to make his mark in the remaining two games of the season against West Brom tomorrow and Port Vale a week on Sunday to keep the Shakers in Division One.

"We wanted to have it in the bag before Port Vale, but that isn't going to happen," he said. "It is vital we win at West Brom. Losing Chris Lucketti is a massive blow and upsets the balance of the team but we will put 11 players out there and give everything for three points."

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