SHAKERS boss Andy Preece has backed goal-shy striker Jon Newby to end his barren run in dramatic fashion to boost Bury's promotion charge.

The club's top scorer for the past two seasons has remained rooted on 11 goals since the clash with Kidderminster on December 29.

And another four glorious missed chances, in Tuesday night's draw with Oxford, again emphasised how vital finding that final touch will prove to Shakers' hopes of securing an immediate return to Division Two.

But Preece, buoyed by Newby's outstanding form in all other aspects of his game, has warned Bury's promotion rivals that his star forward is on the verge of a scoring spree.

"If you look at the chances he's missed, they are all confident finishes and not that of a striker having a bad run," he said.

"It would be easy for many strikers in a barren spell to bottle out of making those runs but he just has to keep believing he will score again soon.

"I'm sure he could still get a glut of goals before the end of the season if he continues the way he's playing. If he gets 15 goals in a season, that's good going for Jon because he creates so much for us around the box."

Newby, who had the burden of captaincy taken off his shoulders earlier this year in a bid to improve his strike rate, was distraught after completing his 16th consecutive blank sheet on Tuesday.

But he also insisted there was more to his game than goals.

"It's the same for any striker. If you go this length of time without a goal, it ticks you off," he said.

"I missed my best chance by hitting the ball too well. If I had scuffed it, it would have gone in. I just need one to go in to get me going again. It doesn't matter if it's a great shot or off my backside. I just need a goal.

"To be fair, whatever club I play for and at whatever level, I'm never going to be a prolific goalscorer. I'm more of a second striker who will set up as many chances, if not more, than I score."