Bury 2 Stockport County 0: THERE were plenty of glum faces among the County players during Saturday eveningés warm-down after this miserable north west derby defeat.
Despite being roared on by another tremendous turnout from the Hatters faithful, the players let the 2,000-plus fans down at Gigg Lane.
Sadly, some of the County players didnét appear to have the stomach for a fight at times, particularly after the home side had gone 2-0 up just beyond the hour mark.
After Tony Kaneés sudden recall by parent club Blackburn, youngster Michael Bowler came back into the County starting line-up, while Rob Clare returned from suspension in place of James Tunnicliffe.
Hattersé fans expectations were high after the previous weekendés five-goal thumping of Darlington, but it was Bury who got themselves off to a dream start with a goal after just one minute and 53 seconds. And what a frustratingly simple effort it was.
Dave Challinorés long throw-in from the right was flicked on by Paul Scott, and there was ex-County striker Glynn Hurst who stooped to head home from close range.
County hit back when Jason Taylor flicked a header inches wide, but at the other end Ashley Williams almost scored an own goal, only for goalkeeper James Spencer to spare the centre-backés blushes.
On a real pudding of a pitch, Countyés in-form front-man Adam Proudlock then found space inside the box, but Lee Jones saved bravely.
The high tempo of the opening quarter of the game eased somewhat, with the next chance falling to Bury bang on the half-hour mark. David Buchanan tried a shot from 20 yards which was well blocked by Williams.
The visitors then tried the route-one approach, but Proudlock flashed a shot over the crossbar following Tes Brambleés flick on.
Bury replied with a blocked shot from Dwayne Mattis. The rebound fell to left-back Tom Kennedy, who fired an angled drive a couple of feet past the far post.
After the break the battle continued, and on 52 minutes veteran defender Chris Brass played in Buchanan who was one-on-one with the Stockport goalkeeper. However, Spencer won the day when he raced out to clear just outside the box.
Kennedy then tested Spencer again when his curling free-kick was superbly tipped over.
Bury had their tails up, and on 57 minutes Scott raced in but fired a shot wide from just 12 yards. Soon after Marc Pugh hit a low drive into the side-netting.
Increasing pressure from the Shakers finally paid dividends on 65 minutes when Andy Bishop produced a neat finish to make it 2-0 following a great through-ball from Hurst.
On a real off-day for the Hatters, they rarely threatened in the closing stages, and the miserable afternoon was completed when Proudlock turned awkwardly and was stretchered off late on.
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