BURY entertain First Division Crewe Alexandra tonight hoping to embark on a lucrative Worthington Cup run.

The Shakers did superbly in the first round first leg at Gresty Road two weeks ago, racing into a two goal lead before a double blast in the final six minutes gave the home side a draw they barely deserved.

But Dario Gradi's side are a useful outfit away from home and Bury boss Andy Preece is well aware that the hard work in the tie is yet to come.

"We know we'll have to be at our best if we are to get through because Crewe are a quality side," said Preece.

"We won't be sitting back trying to win on the away goal rule that's for sure.

"It's an important game for us with the uncertainty surrounding the club off the field and we must go out aiming to score more goals than them and hopefully with the luck of the draw bring some money in.

"And we'll certainly have to play better than we did in the first half against Peterborough on Saturday.

"If we let our standards drop we'll be out of the cup - no mistake!"

But after that confidence boosting display against Dario Gradi's men two weeks ago the Shakers should have nothing to fear.

There could be something of a striking problem for Preece who has both Ady Littlejohn and Bhaichung Bhutia on the treatment table.

He will leave it as late as possible to pick his starting eleven giving them as much chance as possible to make it.

Definitely missing will be loan star Dean Crowe whose club, Stoke City, don't want him to be cup-tied should he return to the Britannia Stadium.

"It's a pity about Dean," said Preece. "He could do with a game but Bhaichung's taken his chance and now I've got a loan player who isn't playing.

"It's not an ideal situation but Dean understands, he's a good lad and as soon as he gets his chance he'll take it.

"It's just a case of him being patient like the rest of the lads who are waiting to get into the team."

Preece was disappointed with his side's first half performance at Peterborough and it took some harsh words at the interval to turn things around.

"It was a different Bury team in the second half and if we want to achieve anything that's the kind of display we need to put in from the first minute," he said.

"I'm delighted with the way we came back but we shouldn't have been in that position in the first place.

"If we'd have played like that all through the game there would have been no problem and we'd have taken all three points."

Saturday's point kept the Shakers in second place in the Second Division, five points behind runaway leaders Walsall who are the visitors to Gigg Lane on Saturday.

Tonight's kick-off is 7.45pm.