BURY’S Bolton connection visit the Macron tonight with something of a point to prove.

Bromley Cross-based boss David Flitcroft was left smarting after losing his unbeaten home record as manager following the Shakers’ 1-0 defeat by Cheltenham Town in their League Two opener.

It also proved a disappointing return for Breightmet midfielder Nicky Adams, whose second debut for the club he left for Leicester in 2008 did not quite live up to the billing.

The JD Stadium outfit went into the game as one of the pre-season promotion favourites and Adams believes tonight’s Capital One Cup tie against his home-town club represents the ideal opportunity to set the record straight.

“A win would send out a massive statement,” he said.

“It’s a local derby so we will go there and will want to win the game, there’s no doubt about it.

“It adds a bit of extra spice – the fact it is my home town– so I will probably get a lot of abuse but I am used to it so it doesn’t really matter.

“It’s a nice game for my family and it is a nice one for the fans as well, who I know will go in their numbers.

“But the main focus has to be on the league.”

Bury sold out their allocation of tickets for the cup tie even before a ball of the season had been kicked, but supporters can still pay on the turnstiles.

Flitcroft believes a decent attendance would be just reward for the chairman’s investment, after helping to seal 10 signings, including Adams, over the summer.

But he is also aware of the work that now must be done – starting tonight – to repay that support after his players’ below-par performance on the opening day.

“For me, you get what you deserve,” said the 40-year-old coach.

“There have been a lot of hard miles and hard work, as well as some tough times, at the football club in the last few years.

“So I think the cup tie is payback.

“I do believe in fate and I do believe in karma. The fans have certainly got their just reward for the hard miles they do and the chairman has because people do not see the hard work the guy’s done.

“He’s rescued the club and it’s a good day for us to go out and show we’ve got a professional football club that tries to exude excellence.

“But we have got to be able to handle the pressure better than what we did (against Cheltenham).

“This might just be a good game to get that one out of their system.

“I’ve picked the lads up off the floor – they were low, but we will get them right and ready for a tough game at the Macron.”