Ben Chenery expects the Ryman North play-off race to go down to the wire, urging his side to ensure they remain in the mix heading into the closing weeks of the season.

Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Cray Wanderers, Bury sit ninth in the table, 11 points off Cheshunt in the final play-off place but with two games in hand on the Hertfordshire side.

Chenery has a lengthy injury list which now stands at 10, following knocks to Darcy De’ath and Matt Skevington on Saturday, but as the walking wounded begin to return, the Bury boss is confident his side can finish the season strongly.

He said: “I’ve been involved in football teams where the last four to six weeks of the season are a struggle because you have injuries, suspensions and fatigue, but if we can get some of those boys back for the last few weeks of the season we’ll be like a steam train.

“We’ll be fit and full of energy so if any team puts four wins in a row on the board it makes a statement. Teams around you will definitely drop points and we need to take advantage.

“It’s going to go down to the last few games for all of us and we need to make sure we’re in the mix, knocking on the door.

“We’ll go under the radar for now and go unsighted, but it’s in our thoughts to make sure we can stay in that top five.”

Bury host fourth-placed Thurrock this evening, having beaten them 4-2 in the FA Trophy earlier in the season, but Chenery is expecting a close game this time around.

He said: “It’s a big game for sure, they are a good side who we beat earlier in the season, but the scoreline then probably wasn’t a reflection of it.

“They have good pace and power and can pass the ball well, so it will be a good game under the lights, but we have to just make sure we don’t lose because you can’t get beaten by the teams around you.

“If we can get three points from that then I’ll be really pleased with four points from these two games.”