BURY’S assistant boss Peter Shirtliff refused to fuel the war of words between manager Kevin Blackwell and his Preston counterpart Graham Westley ahead of the clubs’ derby clash at Deepdale on Boxing Day.

Westley was outspoken ahead of last Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash between the two clubs, claiming a request to delay the rearranged fixture on compassionate grounds was “disrespectfully denied” by Bury.

The Deepdale boss wanted the JPT northern area quarter-final, which was originally called off at the start of December due to a waterlogged pitch, to be postponed until the new year so he and his management staff could attend the funeral of Mitchell Cole.

Cole, who played under Westley at Stevenage, died of a heart condition, aged 27, and was buried last Monday.

But Shirtliff said: “I don’t really know who he thinks sets the fixtures. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, though, but we’ll keep our own counsel.”

Westley’s mood was further darkened on the night of the match when he accused Bury of unsportsmanlike conduct.

He claimed Bury’s opener in the 3-3 draw should not have stood as David Healy refused to throw the ball back after the Preston keeper cleared it into touch so midfield team-mate Andy Procter could receive treatment.

Blackwell was furious after Westley refused to shake his hand after the match, and Shirtliff backed up his manager, claiming the Preston boss had no reason for complaint.

“The physio didn’t come on the pitch,” so I don’t really see what the problem was,” he said.

“I just think when players are going down, it’s over used that they automatically get the ball back.

“The referee should dictate whether the ball goes back to the opposition or not and the referee said the physio had not come on so you play on.”

It’s unlikely, however, that Westley will have had a change of heart since last week, so Bury’s management and players can expect a fiery reception both on and off the pitch.

That doesn’t concern Shirtliff, who says everyone at the club is looking forward to visiting their Lancashire neighbours.

“It should be a big crowd and it’s a good stadium,” he said.

“The pitch will be good and Preston is a good club, it’s got the history, and we will be going there in good spirits.

“We want to win the game and I’m sure they do, and hopefully it will be a good game.”