Alan Knill described Bury's 5-2 defeat at Cheltenham as a "sacking result" as the Shakers season hit a new Low.

And Knill admitted: "That was as poor a performance as I have been in charge of."

Former Oldham winger Josh Low scored twice and set-up two more as the visitors self- destructed after keeper Wayne Brown's 35th-minute sending off.

Brown will now miss Tuesday's home game with Crewe, handing inexperienced Cameron Belford a full league debut.

Belford conceded five, just as Brown did a week earlier at Notts County, leaving Knill angry and mystified.

"I thought Cheltenham were the better team before the sending-off," admitted the Bury boss as his team dropped out of the play-offs again.

"To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. If we were bottom or close to the bottom of the league, that's a sacking game.

"I thought we were a long way from that. But that was so poor by anyone's standards, especially by a team that is supposed to be pushing for promotion.

"We asked for desire, to be competitive and from start to finish we got none of that. It was pathetic," blasted Knill.

Despite his stinging criticism, Bury almost grabbed an unlikely draw.

Reduced to 10-men and trailing 3-0, leading scorer Ryan Lowe struck twice in three minutes to give the Shakers a glimmer of hope.

Instead, unplayable Low scored a superb solo goal and laid on a fifth for substitute Barry Hayles.

"I can't think of many positives to take from this," added Knill.

"Once again I have said exactly what I think."

BURY: Brown 5, Scott 5, Sodje 5, Cresswell 5, Buchanan 4, Worrall 5 (62 Morrell), Dawson 7, Barry-Murphy 5, Poole 5 (35 Belford 5), Bishop 4 (69 Carlton), Lowe 7. Not used: Hewson, Futcher, Newey, Parker.

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