Former Carlisle United players have joined the condemnation of the people behind the demise of Bury, who were last night kicked out of the Football League.

Nicky Adams and Tom Miller, who played for the Shakers last season after spells with the Blues, hit out at owner Steve Dale.

It came after the crisis-hit Gigg Lane club were expelled from the EFL after a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk collapsed.

Supporters and staff at the historic club have been left devastated and former players have hit out at the way Bury have been allowed to fall.

Defender Miller criticised Dale, who bought the debt-ridden club from former owner Stewart Day for £1.

He also said the EFL have questions to answer.

On Twitter he wrote: "Devastated.. been let down by those who are meant to be there to help and look after us. This should never happen.

"EFL need to be questioned massively. Huge respect to all the fans at @buryfcofficial, I'm gutted for you as well.

"And as for Steve Dale. He should be ashamed of himself. How can any person sleep at night after what he has done to the community, the club and all the staff."

Winger Adams, now at Northampton, said it was a "disgrace" and that Dale's actions had "ruined thousands of lives and that's putting it kindly."

It has been reported that the EFL rejected late pleas for Bury to be given a 24-hour extension to its deadline, which was 5pm on Tuesday, with late new bids having materialised.

Late last night the EFL announced that Bury, whose matches had all been postponed so far this season, were being expelled.

The League's board, which includes Carlisle co-owner John Nixon as League Two representative, "unanimously" decided to remove the club from the league.

In a statement they said this was done "with enormous regret" and that it was "one of the darkest days in the League's recent history".

They said a lack of information about Bury's financial ability to see through the season, plus the takeover failure and the suspension of recent fixtures, meant they had been "forced" to take this action.

As a result of Bury's removal, League One will now comprise of 23 clubs for the remainder of the season, with the number of relegation places reduced from four to three.

They said discussions will be held next month about the effect on League Two. This may see relegation from Carlisle's division reduced from two clubs to one.

The News & Star has invited United's John Nixon to comment on the situation in his EFL capacity. He was at Carlisle's Carabao Cup second round tie at Rochdale last night.