ANDY Preece has issued an amazing apology after he snapped at a small number of supporters during Saturday's defeat by Bournemouth.

Preece reacted because he was so disgusted by the chants aimed at striker Paul Barnes, who was booed relentlessly throughout the 62 minutes he was on the field.

The player-manager turned to a section of supporters in the South Stand after Bournemouth scored their fifth goal and exhanged words.

But despite receiving support from a number of fans since the incident, Preece has decided to issue a full apology to supporters. He regrets what he said but is still seething at the treatment of Barnes.

"I would like to apologise to any fans who were offended by what I said when confronted by fans after the fifth Bournemouth goal went in," said Preece.

"I appreciate the frustration of fans when we are getting beaten at home. I feel as passionately as those fans did. I wanted to win the game and I was as angry as those fans.

"My reaction was not as a manager should react but my frustration with the fans was not that they were angry with the scoreline but the treatment that Paul Barnes received throughout the game.

"Caught up in the emotion of the game and the scoreline and what had happened to Barney, I reacted to those fans which was unfair.

"When we start a game it's as a team and whatever happens during that game happens to the team. Whether we win, lose or draw the game it's a team effort and I just felt on Saturday that Paul Barnes was picked out as a cause for us losing the game which was totally unjust. It was down to everyone who played."

Preece added: "Picking on an individual will not help the team and will not help that individual to perform at their best.

"We know we can't achieve anything without your support which has been magnificent ever since I took over.

"I have had nothing but support from fans since the incident but I know I was wrong."

Preece issued the apology because he wants to draw a line under the episode and get on with the important task of keeping Bury at the top end of the table.

And that begins tonight when second-placed Reading visit Gigg Lane (kick off 7.45pm) in a match which Preece desperately wants to win to end the Shakers three-match losing sequence.

He added: "If we play badly and get a scrappy 1-0 win I'll be happy because we just need a win to stop this bad run. Reading are a good side who have spent a lot of money on players but if we keep our confidence and keep doing the right things we can win."

The big question is ... will he pick Barnes?