Rooney enjoys his ‘perfect night’ in FA Cup

The 23-year-old has been restricted to a role on the bench recently, with his only action in development games.

However, Rooney was handed his first start since September against the Shakers and netted the winner as Luton progressed to round three.

He said: “I was over the moon to get a start after such a long period out due to injury and the team doing so well that I couldn’t get back in.

“It was a perfect night really in terms of the result and scoring the goal, but the most important thing was geting through to the next round as we’re playing another team from our division.

“We have a big chance of getting a big team if we can get through and the gaffer said, this is cup football, it doesn’t matter now you play, you need to get through, that’s all that matters.”

On the game itself, Rooney continued: “I thought it was a really good performance. It was tough especially the way Bury play, they’re one of the best teams in the division, with the way they play as they move the ball around.

“Maybe they’re not ruthless enough and maybe that’s why they’re not getting the results, but I certainly like the way their manager gets them playing.

“Credit goes to us as I think we deserved more. I was right behind the ones Scotty’s (Griffiths) hit from Wilko’s (Luke Wilkinson) header and that was some save, I thought (Mark) Tyler was up there as it was that good.”

Luton almost were taken to extra time when Nathan Cameron headed straight at Mark Tyler in stoppage time, but Rooney felt his side’s solid defensive record always gives him confidence of keeping a clean sheet.

He added: “There’s always that chance when you don’t get that second goal. It’s always in the back of your mind if you’re being honest with yourself, whether you’re a fan, player or staff.

“But credit to the boss, when I got the injury and watching on, at the start of the season we were maybe not so secure at the back.

“Since I got injured, unluckily enough for me, without jinxing it, we just don’t look like conceding, particularly at home, we look so solid.

“It helps because starting off with Tyles and how good he is in goal, the defence is doing so well as well, even if it is 1-0, we have the faith that they will stay strong.”