Bragging rights aside, derby victory delivered relief for Rochdale boss Steve Eyre, disbelief for his Bury counterpart Richie Barker.

Eyre’s first league win since taking charge of Dale in the summer released the pressure valve on the rookie Spotland chief, while the manner of Bury’s performance saw it turn in the opposite direction for his fellow managerial newcomer.

“We didn’t get caught up in the mood of the derby atmosphere, it was more important that we put a solid performance in, concentrate on playing well and getting three points,” enthused Eyre.

“We’re absolutely delighted, but we haven’t got too carried away with this result and we told the lads to go out and make it back-to-back wins when we face Scunthorpe on Tuesday.”

Down the corridor in the home dressing room, there were harsher words from Barker.

Like Eyre, he is having to rebuild his squad after the departure of key personnel – but he promised the makeover would be far more drastic should this sorry show be repeated.

The hosts were 3-0 down by the 17th minute, Ashley Grimes and Marcus Holness both powering headers past Cameron Belford and former Bury boy Nicky Adams rifling home the third.

He then picked up a booking for an over-elaborate goal celebration and a second yellow card late in the second half took the gloss off his return to Gigg Lane.

Michael Jones briefly raised the Shakers hopes, but when Belford dropped Adams’ cross two minutes into the second half, David Ball was on hand to punish the goalkeeper’s gaffe.

Andy Bishop netted Bury’s second, but it was mere consolation, and the only thing home fans had to cheer was Adams’ dismissal.

And while last season’s promotion will surely buy Barker time to turn things around, it’s performances such as this that land manager’s in trouble.

“I am possibly running out of time here,” suggested Barker.

“I know that’s a negative thing to say and few would have thought it three weeks ago when we were sixth in the league and in the second round of the League Cup.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself because I genuinely believe I’ve done the best job possible in the circumstances. I’ve obviously generated revenue for the club and we’ve been holding our own in League One so of course I’d like to think I’m not under pressure.

“But if you give a team a three-goal start at home in a local derby, you want shooting!

“Talk about giving someone a leg up.

“I’m not going to take anything away from Rochdale – credit to them, they came and did what we should have done.” Tweet