Bury boss Ryan is Lowe after defeat but refusing to panic

Posted Sunday, March 18, 2018 by PA

Bury boss Ryan Lowe is not hitting the panic button just yet despite a 2-1 defeat against MK Dons plunging his side deeper into the mire at the foot of Sky Bet League One.

Despite George Miller’s late consolation, the Shakers were ultimately undone by two Chuks Aneke penalties as MK Dons picked up back-to-back victories for the first time under Dan Micciche and left Lowe’s side nine points adrift of safety.

Lowe said: “There’s plenty of points to play for but we have to start putting those points on the board. I’ve said to the boys that we can’t let these back-to-back losses roll on into three and four because we’ll have no chance.

“We know what our task is and we know what we have to do.

“We looked solid and resolute and their manager said to us it was one of the toughest games they’ve had, but we know that and we have to start putting the ball in the back of the net and getting some points on the board.

“We’re fighting relegation and the games come thick and fast now, everything is possible and the lads have been excellent since I’ve come in. But I want a little bit more now.”

The Shakers were a goal down after just 11 minutes when Aneke slotted home his eighth goal of the season from the penalty spot after Peter Clarke’s clumsy challenge on Peter Pawlett inside the box.

The Dons were awarded their second penalty just before the hour when Brandon Thomas-Asante was bundled over inside the area by Bury’s Phil Edwards, before Aneke stepped up to coolly slot home.

But as Micciche’s side began to sit deep and invite pressure, the visitors reduced the deficit after 76 minutes when Miller poked home his fifth goal of the season.

It proved futile as the Dons secured back-to-back league victories to move within a point of safety in 22nd.

“It’s a massive three points for us” said Micciche. “They made it tough for us and we had to show character to get the result.

“The players deserve to enjoy it because it’s been a monumental effort from everyone this week, everyone has pulled together but we all know we have lots of cup finals left to play.

“I haven’t looked at the table because I know what points target we need to get to and we know if we reach that target it doesn’t matter how the teams around us do.

“We knew eventually that things would turn for us because we couldn’t continue to have the bad luck that we had been getting.

“I’m not going to lie it has been tough at times when people had been doubting whether I could do this – my feet are firmly on the ground.”