OPTIMISTIC manager Lee Bradbury is convinced Cherries can still feature in the League One play-off picture – providing they can restore home rule.

A dismal record at the Seward Stadium has checked Cherries’ progress this season with just one win and four points garnered from six league games.

Michael Symes’s second-half penalty equaliser ensured Bradbury’s men would halt an alarming run of four successive home defeats when they hosted Rochdale 13 days ago.

And Cherries will have the ideal opportunity to arrest their home slump when they face Dale’s struggling neighbours Bury tomorrow (3pm).

Despite suffering just one defeat in their past seven league and cup games and boasting a four-match unbeaten run on the road, only goal difference is keeping Cherries out of the relegation zone.

Since starting his reign with a 10-match unbeaten run, Bradbury has presided over 11 league home games – winning and drawing two and losing seven.

Speaking to the Daily Echo following the 2-2 draw at MK Dons six days ago, Bradbury said: “We need to win our home games. We had a great home record last season and it was one of the best in the division until towards the end of the season. We need to get that in force again and, if we can do that and keep picking up points away from home, we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. It is about getting consistency.

“It was good that we stopped the rot against Rochdale. I just feel the lads need to play with the confidence that they do away from home. I can’t put my finger on why but we just haven’t had the results at home. I want the lads to play freely, express themselves and to work hard for each other. They have done that at home but we have just been a little unfortunate in our results.

“We have lost one in seven and that is a good record. We deserved something from the game we lost against Hartlepool. We are taking really positive steps at this moment in time. We just need to get that elusive win at home.”

Striker Michael Symes could be in line to make his first start of the season against the Shakers after impressing in three substitute appearances since recovering from a groin injury.

Symes, also speaking to the Daily Echo following the draw at MK Dons six days ago, said: “I certainly don’t feel any added pressure when I play at home and have never heard the lads mention that.

“We are on a little run of unbeaten games and I think it is only a matter of time before we start winning our home games.”

• The Echo yesterday requested an interview with Charlie Sheringham, but this was declined by the club.

Cherries: (from) Flahavan, Purches, Barrett, Zubar, Cummings, Pugh, Cooper, Arter, Gregory, Peters, Thomas, Symes, Fogden, Partington, Fletcher, Taylor, MacDonald, Malone, Sheringham Jalal.