NEW Shakers signing Tom Newey has urged his team-mates to put last weekend’s derby debacle at Rochdale behind them and concentrate on climbing the League Two table.

The 26-year-old full-back, who signed a 12-month contract at Gigg Lane after being released over the summer by Grimsby, made his debut in the 3-0 mauling at Spotland.

Newey was delighted to bounce back as part of the team that beat Walsall on penalties in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday evening and he is now targetting three points against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

“I’d like to think that Saturday was a one-off,” he said. “The management have been telling us that it was a bad result but we have to move on. We did well at Walsall and we have to take that into Saturday.

“It was important we put a decent performance in and we did that. We had some good spells in the game, and obviously they are a League One club, but I thought once we got our foot on the ball people like Brian Barry-Murphy in midfield dictated things and we were unlucky not to score in open play.

“It’s vital we start taking three points in the league now and push up the division.

“The lads did tremendously well last season. I played against them twice, and they were known for some flowing football and I’m sure if we play like we did against Walsall we won’t be too far away from where we want to be.”

Newey is still trying to regain match fitness after a frustrating summer, and is hoping his best form is not too far away.

“I missed pre-season and then got injured,” said Newey. “I am in the team now and I have to stay in there and get my fitness that way.

“I’ve got a few appearances under my belt in this division and I think I can bring something to the team. The manager thinks the same and that is why he brought me here.

“It gives him competition in positions and that is what he wants. We kept a clean sheet at Walsall and never really looked in danger — hopefully we can build on that.”