BURY boss Andy Preece, so enraged at his side's inept Bank Holiday performance against Swindon, has vowed that anyone who plays well for the reserves today could find themselves in the first team.

The Shakers second string took on York City (kick off 2pm at Radcliffe Boro) in the Avon Insurance League Division One.

And Preece has told the players on duty to do well and they could be in.

Preece was disgusted with Monday 3-0 home defeat and needs to get things right for the local derby against Wigan Athletic a week on Saturday.

"Places are up for grabs," admitted Preece. "Some of the players don't realise that.

"A good training session, a good game in the reserves can just tilt the balance in their favour.

"Instead of going round sulking and groaning at not being in the team the players should be trying to impress."

The Bury boss, so delighted after his team's opening day win at Tranmere three weeks ago, has since seen his team lose four games on the trot.

But it is not the results he is unhappy about; it is the manner of the defeats.

For the first time during his time at Gigg he has started questioning his players attitude and commitment and has accused certain players of sulking at being left out.

Preece is confident he can sort it out. It isn't going to be easy but at least he is talking a good game.

"We've not lost anything and we've not won anything after four games. But this is the time to stand up and be counted," added the Shakers manager.

"We have shown glimpes of how well we can do but we have also shown glimpses of how poor we can be.

"We've got to make sure we do it right from now on and that means everybody working for each other. We can't afford one or two sulking and moaning around because it affects everybody and if they want to sulk then they can go somewhere else.

"My job's hard enough as it is and I don't need people sulking around and not producing."

At least Preece has no first team match this weekend, giving him a fortnight to sort matters out.

He is trying to arrange a practice match for Saturday and whoever impresses the most - as well as in today's reserve team - will have as good as chance as anyone of lining up against Wigan.