Bury 2 York City 1 by STEVE BOTT

LOAN star Pawel Abbott showed his worth to Bury with one goal and an assist as the Shakers extended their unbeaten run to five games and moved into fifth place in Division Three.

And afterwards Abbott announced that he was staying at Gigg Lane for another month, news that will delight the Shakers faithful.

On this showing they must be hoping that the Preston striker's stay will become a permanent one, but that remains in the lap of the Gods owing to Bury's parlous financial state.

Things are certainly on the up on the field though, no more so than up front, where Abbott has developed a fine understanding with another big favourite at Gigg Lane, striker Jon Newby.

"We hit it off from our first match together," said Abbott, who had two reasons to be delighted with his performance against York. Both his goal and assist came courtesy of some fine headwork and he explained: "I used to get a fair bit of stick at Preston because they said I didn't use my head enough. I think I showed tonight that I can use it."

Abbott was born and brought up in York and he added: "It was nice to score against my hometown club. I used to go to watch them with my brother and it's always something you have at the back of your mind." Abbott's first crucial intervention came in the 20th minute when he headed on Bury keeper Glyn Garner's long punt upfield. George Clegg provided a fine pass into the path of Newby and the former Liverpool striker did the rest with a smart angled shot.

Seven minutes later came the most pleasing moment of the night for Abbott when he rose to meet Terry Dunfield's left wing cross with a forceful header that again beat Fettis all ends up.

It was developing into Bury's most convincing performance of the season so far. But as has happened so often already, they were destined not to have things all their own way.

York pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when Steve Brackstone's left wing corner went straight in at the near post.

That sparked a fierce spell of pressure from the visitors that put Bury's defence to the test. They passed it and Michael Nelson along with Matty Barrass, in his role as sweeper, did so with flying colours. Abbott even did his bit too with a clearance off the line that capped a great night all round for Bury's new hero.

BURY FORM GUIDE: Garner 6, Barrass 7, Stuart 6, Nelson 8, Unsworth 7, Forrest 7, Clegg 7, Abbott 8, Dunfield 7, Woodthorpe 7, Newby 7. Substitutes: Billy (for Clegg, 67 mins) 6, Swailes (for Stuart, 72 mins), Preece (for Abbott, 86 mins).

Attendance: 3,294.