Battling Bury overcame the elements and Blackpool to earn three vital points in their bid to clamber out of the Second Division relegation zone.

They defended gallantly on a difficult mud-bath pitch which had been passed fit to play on by a referee's morning inspection.

The pitch was the subject of post-match anger from Blackpool Manager Steve McMahon who said ''This is probably the worst pitch I have ever seen in a long career as a player and a manager''.

However, the Shakers were more delighted with the three points than entering into a debate on the playing surface. Skipper Martin Forrest said afterwards ''Yes it was boggy in parts but it has been our football which has been stuck in a rut for the past few weeks and now we are out of it''

''It was great to get a win. I hope we can maintain this sort of attitude and form. The early goal was a real boost and we knew a battle would follow. Fortunately we had a defence which did not get flustered and behind them our goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was in great form''.

''We know what Paddy can do week in, week out and he deserves recognition for it''.

The vital early goal came after just eight minutes. Jon Newby - a transfer target for Blackpool a few weeks ago - made a lovely run down the flank before cutting inside the defence and firing in a low shot.

A defender blocked his effort but the ball fell kindly for Gareth Seddon who beat home keeper Phil Barnes with a simple tap in.

Handful

Bury's speedy and direct counter-attacking style always had the Blackpool back three in trouble with Newby obviously out to impress and he proved a real handful for home defenders Rhys Day and Ian Hughes.

Blackpool found themselves closed down by Bury's midfield quartet and found themselves having to mount attacks down the wings.

The Seasiders were slow to adjust their playing style to the poor conditions but midfielder Ritchie Wellens has shown how it could be done when he ran straight at the Bury defence and hit a 20 yard piledriver which Kenny saved at full stretch.

As the game progressed Blackpool started to mount more attacks but found Sam Collins at the heart of the Bury defence in rock like form. He dominated the aerial battles and if the ball eluded him at the back Kenny was in superb acrobatic form.

At the break Blackpool made no secret of their intentions substituting defender Phil Thompson for out and out striker John Murphy,

Transfer listed Murphy proved far more of a handful for Collins with his extra height but Bury were in pragmatic mood and were not going to give up their lead without a real fight.

A series of home corners - in-swingers and out-swingers - were capably dealt with before Bury moved the ball sweetly out of defence in the 55th minute and Newby shot was brilliantly saved by Barnes.

It was a reminder that Bury were not finished as an attacking force and five minutes later Clegg had an open goal chance which he fluffed.

Blackpool returned to pounding Kenny's goal and the Irishman made full length saves from Murphy, substitute Milligan and Taylor.

However, Kenny could be considered lucky to remain on the field in the 71st minute when he crudely brought down Murphy from behind just outside the penalty area. But, the fates looked kindly on the Irish keeper and referee Mike Pike awarded him just a yellow card.

It was a fortunate decision for Kenny who was back under the cosh almost immediately with a brilliant leaping save from Milligan's free kick.

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