Roy McFarland has spoken about new loan signing Tom Cowan. The experienced Scot made an impressive debut at left-back last night after McFarland swooped to borrow him from Burnley; all the more impressive for the fact that he met his new team-mates for the first time a few hours before kick-off.

"I've been watching him for some time," revealed McFarland. "I would have liked to have signed him last season. He's an experienced defender who has played at a high level, and just the kind of player we need in our situation."

Cowan will deputise for Clive Wilson who has knee ligament damage and could be missing for a few weeks, and the manager admitted, "With Clive getting injured, the timing of him becoming available for loan could hardly have been better. We'll be able to use him until the transfer deadline in about a month's time."

First impressions from supporters who were at Bury last night are completely favourable, with the overwhelming opinion being "Sign him now"!