BURY Town assistant manager Ben Chenery – in charge against Leiston today – has warned his players not to be ruled by their emotions again after last month’s explosive derby between the two Suffolk sides.

Chenery, taking the reins from ill manager Richard Wilkins for the second time in five days, admits emotions got the better of both sides in their first-ever Ryman League meeting on December 18.

Bury twice recovered from two-goal deficits to earn a 3-3 draw at Ram Meadow, while Leiston’s Michael Brothers was sent off – and Chenery has urged his players to keep their discipline this time.

“Maybe the emotions did take over a bit last time,” said Chenery. “It is a learning curve and a bit of naivety at times.

“It is a measure of a footballer how you deal with these situations. The players have got to keep their discipline.

“Derby games are always extra special and it promises to be a fantastic spectacle. Every player wants to claim the bragging rights.

“It was a close game a couple of weeks ago and they were very good that night, but it will be a great advert for Suffolk football [today] whatever happens.”

Despite scoring six goals in their last two games – with Chenery overseeing Bury’s 3-2 win over Enfield Town on Tuesday – the fifth-placed side have been linked with highly-rated Walsham-le-Willow striker Ollie Hughes, 25.

However, Chenery was quick to dismiss those rumours.

“We have not made an approach for Ollie,” confirmed Chenery.

“We don’t know where that story has come from. It seems very strange to me.

“We didn’t send someone down to scout him. Someone from the club went to watch a game he played in because it was a local match and people have put two and two together.

“I know he is a good footballer and we are always looking to improve every position, but we have got three forwards and are not making any moves for anyone at the moment.”

Meanwhile, with no clean-sheets in their last 14 games, a run stretching to October 16, Chenery has called for an improved defensive team effort against Leiston today at Victory Road (3pm ko).

“We can’t be relying on miracles every week to get us out of trouble – especially away to Leiston where it would be hard to recover from one goal down,” he added.

“I told the lads after the 3-3 draw that if we’re going to concede three goals then we’re going to be very fortunate to get anything from it.

“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen again and be the first team to get the goals this time.

“We had an excellent start to the season defensively but we need to start keeping clean sheets again.

“I think it is easy to point fingers at the defence but it needs to be a collective effort.

“We are closing down a lot more from the front, but we need to make more progress.”