Defeat saw Bury slump to a fifth successive home defeat, their worst run at Gigg Lane since the start of the 2001-02 relegation season.
And that left fans shaking their heads, especially with popular strikers Bishop and Glynn Hurst on the bench, and experienced defender Futcher sitting in the stands.
But manager Alan Knill hinted that, but for a toe injury sustained in training, Futcher would have returned against the Mariners, and he may be fit for next Saturday's visit of Gillingham.
Futcher's replacement, 20-year-old Ryan Cresswell, had a nightmare game with his indecisive defending handing the opener to Liam Trotter, while both he and partner Efe Sodje went missing as Nathan Jarman claimed number two.
The Shakers could not turn it around, even after the visitors had Jean-Paul Kalala dismissed for a second bookable offence after 36 minutes.
Bishop came on in the second half with little effect but is now in line for a recall after Knill attempted to gibe him a rest.
"I believed Andy was tired. He came to see me in the week," said the manager, whose side, remarkably, remain just two points off an automatic promotion place.
"He played at Bradford and didn't look great. He had been up the night before, and since then has not looked as sharp, in games or in training.
"We decided to rest him in the hope he would come back sharper. Unfortunately at 2-0 down we had to put him on.
"Same with Hursty. For personal reasons he has been off twice this week.
"He had a couple of great chances when he came on, but we just can't put it in the back of the net at the moment."
BURY: Brown 6, Scott 5, Buchanan 4, Cresswell 4, Sodje 4, Dawson 7, Barry-Murphy 5 (Baker 66, 4), Jones 5 (Hurst 78, 5), Bennett 6, Morrell 5 (Bishop ht, 6), O'Grady 6.
Bury's game at Accrington Stanly has been moved from Tuesday November 25 to Saturday November 29.
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