BURY boss Andy Preece has issued a heartfelt plea for fans to rally behind the players who are the club's future.

The Shakers take on Mansfield Town in the LDV Vans Trophy at Gigg Lane tomorrow afternoon and will field the youngest first team seen for many years.

Several of the starting eleven will be aged 22 years or younger as Preece gives the Shakers' young guns a chance to prove they have what it takes.

A miserable run of ten games without a win has persuaded the Bury chief that action needs to be taken - and quickly.

And yesterday's 1-0 defeat against Halifax Town reserves will have focused his mind even further bearing in mind that the club fielded a virtual first team.

"It was a very disappointing performance," he declared.

"We had enough play to get a draw out of the game but weren't much better than that.

"Some of our lads found out just how hard it is in the reserves and it doesn't help knowing that our second string are top of their league."

Preece is expected to give run outs to the likes of young defenders Nicky Hill and Chris Armstrong while striker Andy Smith - on loan from Sheffield United - will make his home debut.

Definitely missing is Danny Swailes who jarred his knee in the Halifax match while there are doubts about Paul Reid and Ady Littlejohn who have both been suffering from a flu bug.

Tomorrow's match will be a good measure of how the future will look at Gigg at the end of the season with a good number of players still on wages from the club's Division One days expected to be released.

"After yesterday's disappointing result the younger lads have an even better chance of pushing for a first team shirt if they perform tomorrow," added Preece.

"They are the future of the club and whether it's the immediate or long-term future depends on how they perform.

"I get a lot of letters from fans saying we should give the younger players a chance and we will need them to get behind the team tomorrow and give the lads a lift."

Mansfield have selection problems of their own and will be without injured midfielders Darrell Clarke and Stuart Hicks while defenders Bobby Hassell and Lee Williams are suspended.

Kick-off at Gigg Lane is 3pm.

Shakers chairman Terry Robinson, mascot Robbie the Bobby and a group of supporters will be rattling their buckets in a cash collection in aid of the club prior to tomorrow's match.