BURY had double cause for celebration after seeing off promotion rivals Bradford and securing the future of star striker Andy Bishop.

Top scorer, Bishop, was in inspired form after putting pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal and helping the Shakers maintain their place in the top three.

It was his ball that released Andy Morrell to score a deserved winner in the 76th-minute.

Bury made a lively start and only a fine save by Rhys Evans denied Morrell an early opener.

Later Bishop almost picked out Morrell with a deft cross, but Matthew Clarke nipped in to clear.

At the other end Barry Conlon headed well wide from a Nicky Law corner.

Neither side managed to forge another opening until Bishop came to the fore again just after the half- hour mark. First he laid off for winger Mike Jones to drag a shot wide, before picking out Morrell , who fired over.

Keeper Evans then had to turn away a fierce effort from Jones while Clarke cleared a teasing Bennett cross.

Paul McClaren blazed over from Bradford's first decent chance, yet shortly after the restart Morrell headed wide from a Brian Barry-Murphy cross.

Bishop thought he had grabbed his goal moments later after being put through by Bennett, but Evans was out quickly to save with his legs. Bradford replied with Nicky Law firing straight at Mark Tyler after some uncertainty in the Bury defence.

Morrell then headed wide from a Mike Jones cross, but the veteran striker grabbed his second goal in two games with time running out. After being found on the left by Bishop he cut inside before firing past the keeper at his near post.

Bury: Tyler 7; Scott 7, Cresswell 7, Futcher 7, Buchanan 7; Bennett 8, Dawson 8, Barry-Murphy 7, Jones 8; Bishop 8, Morrell 8 (Hurst 86).

Subs not used: Baker, Haslam, Rachhi, Sodje Tweet