With Bury now four points behind the top three in the automatic race, Flitcroft insists League Two’s in-form side must concentrate on their own performances as they welcome Southend United to the JD Stadium.

Although Adam El-Abd’s last minute winner sealed a comeback for 10-man Bury against Northampton, Flitcroft bemoaned the standard of the surface in a week when Shakers chairman Stewart Day reiterated their ambition for Championship football.

Bury kept their fifth clean sheet in six games away at York City midweek, a run that has coincided with them collecting 15 of a possible 18 points.

Bury recorded their fifth victory in six games thanks to Ryan Tafazolli’s own goal, a win that moves the club four points off automatic promotion.

Callum O’Dowda’s goal five minutes from time was enough to end the Shakers’ four-match winning run and they also lost Adam El-Abd to two bookable offences.

Bury have rediscovered their early season form, when they went on an eight-match unbeaten run, by winning their last four games.

Tom Soares’ early header gave the Shakers victory against Luton Town, a result that helped Flitcroft’s charges move level on points with the Hatters as they extended their winning streak to four.