91Èȱ¬

Steven Schumacher still believes Bury can avoid relegation this season, but has admitted it will take a "crazy run" for the Shakers to stay in League One.

Tuesday's 2-0 win over Stevenage lifted Bury to within six points of safety.

"We've still got to play teams around us but we're under illusions that it's going to be tough," captain Schumacher told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Manchester.

"We just need to get on a crazy run where we win all of our remaining games. Stranger things have happened."

Kevin Blackwell's side were bottom of the table prior to their victory over Stevenage, who sacked their manager Gary Smith following the defeat at Gigg Lane.

Bury, who are now third from bottom, have eight games left to preserve their third-tier status, starting at promotion-chasing Bournemouth on Saturday.

Former Bradford and Crewe midfielder Schumacher continued: "The hardest thing to do when you're in a struggling side is to keep wanting the ball and the easiest thing to do is hide.

"If people can show the right character for the next eight games, and they stand up and are counted, that's all we can ask for.

"It's never nice to have a relegation on your CV but hundreds of players have gone through that and still had good careers.

"The lads have got to keep believing that we can get out of it and hope that we don't go down. If we do go down, it's all about the character that you show and the performances you put in next year."

Schumacher, 28, is Bury's top scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions, but he missed the chance to add to his tally on Tuesday, failing to convert a first-half penalty.

He added: "I was sitting down at half-time and I was more disappointed with myself about why I went that way. It's not my usual penalty to place it. I usually go for power but it was one of those things and I'm just glad we got the three points in the end."