Oxford United 3 Bury 1: THE hard luck stories are coming thick and fast for Graham Barrow's Shakers at the moment and the sooner they stop the better.

Their ability to shoot themselves in the foot against teams they dominate is becoming worryingly consistent.

As you'd expect from a team who'd been on the end of a 6-1 hammering in their last match, Oxford started very jittery and Bury looked set to take full advantage.

As early as the first minute, Dwayne Mattis headed a Brian Barry-Murphy corner just wide and the chances came thick and fast from then on.

A mazy run by Chris Porter ended in him being foiled by U's keeper Chris Tardif then a superb move involving Dave Flitcroft, Mattis and Nugent resulted in the latter getting clear on goal but once again Tardif saved well.

However, disaster struck on 40 minutes.

When Tommy Mooney picked up the ball down the left after a quick raid, his cross somehow went under Dave Challinor's foot and fell invitingly for Basham, completely unmarked, to steer first time past Glyn Garner from just inside the box.

A half that should have ended with the Shakers two or three goals up finished with them a goal behind.

Nugent fired another effort over the bar after Challinor had flicked on a Flitcroft free-kick but worryingly the counter-attacking home side then began to create openings of their own.

Substitute Chris Hackett hit the side-netting after being set up by Lee Bradbury then turned provider when he picked out Mooney from the right but his hooked effort sailed over the bar.

Hackett's perseverance paid off just after the hour mark however, when another ball in from the right was met by Bury defender Scott, who inexplicably headed past a bemused Garner into the top corner.

The Shakers grabbed themselves a lifeline after 70 minutes when Flitcroft sent Mattis scurrying into the box.

He drilled a low cross into the danger zone where Nugent was on hand to control and lash home from close range.

However, Bury were caught on the counter attack once again.

Hackett was involved, exchanging passes with Bradbury before firing in a powerful cross that Mooney expertly flicked home to give Garner no chance.

BURY: Garner 6, Scott 6, Challinor 7, Woodthorpe 5, Unsworth 6 (Whaley 87), Flitcroft 8, Mattis 7, Barry-Murphy 5, Kennedy 5 (Newby 46, 6), Nugent 8, Porter 6. Subs not used: Barrass, Dunfield & Smith.

ATTENDANCE: 4,308

REFEREE: Mr K. Stroud