IN a season that has seen Bury famously fall foul of FA rules, it could be another piece of legislation from the sport's governing body which eventually decides their future in League Two.

The struggling Gigg Lane side are hovering just above the drop zone after Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Notts County, but are standing by for a welcome boost on Friday afternoon when the result of fellow relegation battlers Accrington Stanley's disciplinary hearing is announced.

The Lancashire side are accused of fielding two ineligible players, and could face a heavy penalty if found guilty, thought to be a deduction of between two and seven points. They are currently two points ahead of Bury in the table - and three ahead of Wrexham in the final relegation spot.

The Shakers became the first professional club ever to be expelled from the FA Cup earlier this season when they were found guilty of naming midfielder Stephen Turnbull in their starting line-up without the proper clearance.

And non-league side AFC Wimbledon were docked a hefty 18 points for a similar offence in the Conference South just two months ago which was reduced to a three-point deduction on appeal yesterday.

Accrington were hit by an FA fine just last season for fielding an ineligible players in their reserve side, and many believe the FA will impose a heavy sentence for their latest indiscretion.

But Bury boss Chris Casper is keeping his focus on his own side, and turning round a run of results which now stretches to 16 games without a victory.

"Whatever Accrington did or didn't do, we shouldn't have to rely on that," Casper said.

"We have our destiny in our own hands, and I don't want to get caught up in an argument which has nothing to do with us."