BURY AFC boss Andy Welsh insists his side can still finish in the top two in the NWCL Premier Division but admits late goals have killed them in recent games.

After conceding a late leveller in Good Friday’s 1-1 draw with Longridge Town at their temporary home at Mossley, AFC had to settle for a point at Wythenshawe Town on Easter Monday after the hosts grabbed an injury-time equaliser in an entertaining 3-3 draw.

The dropped points see Bury remain in fourth place, six points behind Avro FC in second but they have two games in hand. Welsh admits his side are stretched as they look to play catch-up following their cup exploits and a string of postponed matches this season but says Bury players are giving their all in their bid for promotion.

“That goal (against Wythenshawe) and obviously the late goal on Friday it does kill us slightly but let’s be honest fatigue does kick in,” Welsh told the club. “But they gave it everything and I still believe we can go on and keep getting the wins and put pressure on to get that second place.”

He added: “It has been a tough season and I certainly don’t think the last 20 days of games has helped us as a club and one thing for me is that the players are leaving it all out there.”

The games continue to come thick and fast with Bury hosting Burscough at Mossley tonight before travelling to the Isle of Man on Saturday.

“We will just have to see where players are at in terms of recoveries…at the minute everyone is stretched,” added Welsh.

“We know where we are at as a club and if it is a level playing field where we have got recovery days in between games and not three months of fixtures in one month, I would back these players all day and I think everyone else should.”