BURY Town manager Richard Wilkins wasn't too worried by his team's exit from the Red Insure Cup on Tuesday night.

Stuart Watson

Mammoth cup run over, now Bury can get back to league business

By Stuart Watson

BURY Town manager Richard Wilkins wasn't too worried by his team's exit from the Red Insure Cup on Tuesday night.

The Suffolk club's 2-1 defeat against Cambridge City means they can finally return to Zamaretto League action today following a mammoth run of eight consecutive cup matches.

Since their 0-0 league draw with Rothwell Town on September 19, the Blues have played five FA Cup matches, once in the FA Trophy, once in the Suffolk Premier Cup and, most recently, in the Red Insure Cup (League Cup).

It has left the promotion hopefuls down in 15th position in the Midlands Division One table due to the fact they have played just six league games so far - almost half as many as other teams in the league.

It was a similar story for Bury last year who, after progressing to the FA Cup first round, had also only played six league matches by the time Halloween came around.

The season ended with the Suffolk club's play-off push ultimately running out of steam at the crucial moment, so it is for that reason that Wilkins wasn't too disappointed by his side's League Cup exit this week.

“In the FA Cup and FA Trophy you always want to go as far as you can because of the rewards it brings, but last season I think it was the League Cup campaign which was the problem,” said Wilkins, whose side made it all the way to the semi-finals of the latter last season.

“In that respect Tuesday's score didn't worry me too much because our exit from that competition could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

“We know we are playing catch-up in the league now, but hopefully we can put a run of six to eight games together where we pick up good points and can close the gap down pretty quickly.”

Bury hosts Bedworth United today before hosting Chesham United on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere, in the Ryman League Division One North, Lowestoft Town return to league action following their superb midweek FA Cup replay victory.

The Suffolk club beat Blue Square North side Gloucester City 4-2 in front of close to 2,500 fans at Crown Meadow to book a First Round trip to Blue Square Premier side Wrexham

The Trawler Boys - who are just six points off the top-of-the-table with five games in hand - host Wingate & Finchley today.