ANDY Welsh wants more from his Shakers side as the big North West Counties League kick-off fast approaches.

Bury’s 5-2 defeat at Macclesfield at the weekend was no disgrace – the Silkmen having gained promotion to the Northern Premier League as champions only a few months ago.

But having held the Cheshire men to the break at Moss Rose, Welsh was left disappointed his side conceded three times in the first 20 minutes after the restart.

“To be 1-1 at half time and then come out and concede goals the way we did, I’ll be honest, it isn’t acceptable,” he said. “It is something we spoke about and it has got to hurt because going into the season we want to make sure we are harder and more resilient team to beat and we just gave goals away.

“I think there was a lack of understanding within the shape, there were gaps, but it is a bit of a work in progress. It is a completely new back four and they will only get stronger by playing together.

“Overall it was a good experience for them to go toe-to-toe, and we certainly made a mark on the game but we know we have got to be better.”

Bury take on Stockport Town tonight – another stern test against a side that finished second in North West Counties Division One South last season.

And Welsh says there are places still up for grabs in the team which will kick off the new season on July 29 against Glossop, the first step in a new chapter for the club.

“People will be looking at personnel, formations, who is playing where and doing what,” he said. “I always believe up until that first game of the season that places are up for grabs. Every training session matters, every game matters, and if you want to be a part of it start sticking your foot in and out-working your opponent.

“Stockport be another good test because it’s a team that just missed out on promotion last season,” he said. “It will be a good test for us going into the last week of pre-season.”