DREWE Broughton has infuriated the Shakers by making a dramatic U-turn in his decision to join the club.

The 28-year-old striker opted to join big-spending MK Dons just hours after agreeing a deal to play at Gigg Lane next season.

Broughton, who is based in Milton Keynes, had looked odds-on to sign with Paul Ince's side at the start of the week after playing two trial games for the Shakers and earning an initial offer from the club.

Bury had all but given up on the target man, but their hopes were resurrected when he decided to travel to Monday night's friendly at Hyde to resume talks with director of football, Keith Alexander.

He was offered a chance to play in the game, but pulled out at a late stage.

Bury had high hopes of completing the transfer yesterday, but Broughton had a last-minute change of heart, choosing instead to join the massed ranks of strikers currently at Ince's disposal.

A furious Keith Alexander said he had never been more disappointed by a player's actions in his career.

"As far as we were concerned, he didn't think the MK Dons deal was right for him, he was the type of player we were looking for, and the deal was all but done.

"We did everything right. But between the player and the agent, they have decided to go back on the deal.

"It is hugely disappointing - I have never experienced anything quite like it."

Broughton's last-minute switch adds a touch of spice to the opening day of the new season, when the Shakers face MK Dons at their newly-built stadium.

And that is a fact not lost on Alexander.

"I just hope our fans have got good memories, and I will make no bones about that," he said.

"If he had come out and said it was a financial issue, that they were paying him three times the wages we were, then I would have no problem whatsoever. But I feel this has been done in the wrong way.

"He has let down our fans, showed disrespect to our club and the lads in the dressing room that he was chatting happily to on Monday night, and I for one am looking forward to the first game of the season for that very reason."