Bury Town boss Ben Chenery won’t accept relegation until it’s mathematically impossible to stay up, but admitted too many of his senior players have fell short this season.

The Ryman Premier’s bottom side are 11 points behind Witham Town, who are sat just above the relegation zone, but have played three more games than the north Essex outfit.

Chenery’s beleaguered side travel to mid-table Billericay Town today on the back of 4-0 and 4-1 defeats to Leatherhead and Hornchurch respectively.

“I don’t think I feel let down by anyone, but performances have not been what they should have been,” said Chenery.

“I can’t question the players’ commitment, but I can question their decision-making and lack of quality at times as a group.

“You need more than just commitment to do well at this level and we have struggled with that this season, and I would say more of the senior lads needed to do better.

“As a group, they have been very supportive of me though and are embarrassed by our situation.”

Chairman Russell Ward all but accepted relegation this week, slashing the club’s budget and insisting it would be difficult to return to the Ryman Premier at the first attempt.

Chenery, who this week released forwards Chris and Joe Benjamin, refused to disagree with the club’s chief and gave his thoughts on the Ram Meadow outfit’s predicament.

“It’s been a tough season but the football club have tried to do everything the right way in terms of us living within our means,” he added.

“They had a board meeting in the week and made the decision to cut the budget and I can’t blame them.

“Money is difficult to come by and the decision has just got to be accepted so we can move forward and get the club back in good shape.

“I won’t stop fighting until it’s impossible to stay up and in my mind every single player has got to show that same spirit, I won’t stand for anything less.

“Maybe the pressure is off the players a bit now and they may perform a bit differently.”

The aforementioned Benjamin cousins departed the club earlier this week, following hot on the heels of defenders Callum Bennett and Joe Whight, midfielders Ross Bailey and Liam Wales, and striker John Sands, who have all left recently.

“They (Benjamins) have been released and there could be a couple more to follow,” explained the former Chelmsford assistant manager.

“It’s not an ideal time and people that have not been involved in the first team will now get their chance.

“I want to put things right, it’s been really tough this season, but I want to get Bury back where it wants to be as a football club.

“We need to start producing local players to play for the club, but the Ryman Premier is a massive step up to what a lot of our lads have been used to.

“It’s a big, physical league and you have got to be mentally strong. Some of the young lads have not been ready for that, but more senior lads needed to be better too.”