Bury boss Dave McNabb is relishing the play-offs and hopes his side can “pay back the fans” for their support this season.
The Shakers are still waiting to see if they will face Padiham or Charnock Richard after the latter secured a 1-0 victory at Colne.
Regardless of the opposition, McNabb hopes the home crowd at Gigg Lane will give his players a major boost on Tuesday night.
“We are excited,” he told The Bury Times. “It is going to be a big game, we still don’t know who we are playing but at least we know when now.
“Gigg Lane is going to be rocking, I am sure. The support we have had this season has been second to none.
“Hopefully, it will be nice and loud on Tuesday and we can do everyone proud and win the game.”
Bury must dust themselves off and be ready to go again after coming up just short in their bid to finish top of the table.
McNabb insists the squad must stay focused on the task at hand and cannot afford to dwell on what has already happened.
“There is a lot that we need to learn and analyse from the season - particularly towards the back end and some of the disappointing results and performances,” he added.
“Now is probably not the time to do that level of detail. We need to take some elements of that into how we set the team up and make sure the lads are fully aware of what is expected of them going into the play-offs.
“We would all have loved to win the league, that is what everyone set out to do at the start of the season.
“But we can’t change what has happened, we can only learn from it and make sure we are fully prepared for the semi-final.”
It has been a roller-coaster ride for McNabb and his players, who are now determined to finish on a high note.
“The experience of playing at Gigg Lane at this level of football, in front of nearly four thousand in certain games, is second to none,” the manager explained.
“It is daunting and it can be challenging as well, particularly for players who are not used to playing in front of that many people.
“But what a privilege it is to play at that stadium, with all the history and the fans as well. It has been truly special and obviously something we will never forget.
“It is now on me, the staff and the players to make sure that we pay back the fans for everything they have given us throughout the season.”
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