LEE Bracey was today hoping for a concrete sign that he still has a future at Bury.

The 27-year-old has earned a reputation as an ultra-reliable reserve over the last couple of seasons with Gary Kelly the undisputed number one.

But he was this week on the verge of hearing the morale-boosting news he has been longing for.

Bracey, a £30,000 buy from Halifax two and a half years ago, must have wondered what he had to do to retain the No 1 shirt since Kelly recovered from a career-threatening knee injury which ruled him out for nine months.

Kelly's brilliant form has limited Bracey's first team chances. But on the rare occasions he has been called into action, he has never let the side down.

That has not been enough to retain the number one shirt in the past once Kelly has become available again. But manager Stan Ternent's policy of sticking by the men in form has given Bracey his best chance yet of keeping hold of the keeper's jersey. Kent-born Bracey staked his claim with one of his best performances for the Shakers in the 1-1 draw at Chester last Saturday when he was a late replacement for Kelly who was allowed time off due to a family illness.

He capped a faultless display with three crucial saves - including one stunning reflex stop from Kevin Noteman's 20-yard volley - to keep brave 10-man Bury in the game and earn the praise of his boss.

"He's a good goalkeeper and he has never let us down when he has been brought into the side," declared Ternent who suggested Bracey could be running out at Gigg Lane against Northampton today when he added: "If you play well you stay in the team." Bracey's disenchantment is the major reason he has refused a new contract although he insists he would be happy to stay at Gigg Lane if he considered he had a realistic chance of first team football.

"Gary's an excellent goalkeeper and I think Bury are in a fortunate position in having two experienced men for the one position," he says.

"But it has been a frustrating year and a half for me and while my lack of first team football is not the only reason I have not signed a new contract, it is the main reason.

"I just want to play and I think everybody can understand that. Any footballer who isn't unhappy when they are out of the team is in the wrong profession.

"I had 11 games earlier in the season and then it was back into the reserves. "The most difficult thing is to keep motivating yourself when there is no first team game to look forward to on a Saturday.

"You have to keep plugging away and stay positive about the situation. I have bided my time, waiting for my next chance and every time I get a chance I really enjoy it.

"I would love to stay. It is a great club, a progressive club with a good squad of players who all get along well with each other. The only issue is first team football. The manager understands the way I feel and he has told me he doesn't want me to go."

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