Bury's game against Stockport on Saturday was another weather casualty - so caretaker-boss Chris Brass took out his frustrations by playing for someone else.

Brass, the club's centre of excellence coach, is still a registered player for non-league Hyde United. So he linked up with them to face Nicky Law's Alfreton Town but lost 2-0.

He will be back in the dug-out tomorrow night after taking the temporary reins following the sacking of Chris Casper.

Brass became York's youngest ever manager in 2003 when he was put in charge aged 27. But he failed to stop them dropping into the Conference.

He has not ruled himself out of the running for the Bury job although other names have also been touted.

Former Preston chief Paul Simpson has reportedly turned down the post and Lincoln number two Neil McDonald, who was the first manager to be sacked this season at Carlisle, has also been strongly linked.

Brass oversaw last week's shock FA Cup win over Norwich and insists his experience at York has not put him off management. He said: "Opportunity doesn't knock twice in life and if I am given that chance I have a major decision to make.

"I learned more from that two-year period (at York) than all the years playing football. At the moment, though, I'm just looking to get some stability back into the club."

Bury axed Casper and director of football Keith Alexander after a shocking run in the league which has seen them pick up only one point in eight games. They have not won since beating Peterborough in November; the last time they scored a league goal at home.

The Shakers have fired four blanks at Gigg Lane since - a drought of more than six hours without a league goal in front of their own fans.

But the cup was a different matter and having held Norwich at Carrow Road, they saw off the Championship side 2-1 in last week's replay to earn a fourth-round crack at Southampton on Saturday.

Andy Bishop netted his 12th goal of the season against the Canaries and has been attracting League One interest from Crewe.

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