AS if sulking at being robbed of matches during the summer break, Bury made up for it with a display so energetic it wouldn't have looked out of place in Edmonton at the World Athletic Championships.

The players ran until they dropped and quite rightly - given that the critics gave them no chance of beating Dave Watson's side - celebrated at the end of this fine win as if they had just won the league.

Bury had the better of an often fractious match and should have won by a larger margin, especially after Tranmere striker Seyni D'Diaye was dismissed for blatantly elbowing young Shakers defender Michael Nelson in the head.

The whole team was inspired, most notably Baichung Bhutia, who was a revelation, leading the attack intelligently with pace and movement. Chris Billy was outstanding too at the heart of the midfield and seems to have grown in confidence since being voted fans' player of the year last season.

"It was a super performance by everyone," agreed Preece, who exerted almost as much energy as his players with his non-stop cajoling and wild celebrations from the dugout.

"Considering the first three games we've got, people probably expected us to be bottom of the league with no points so it's nice to get off to a winning start.

"I don't want too may games like that though. I'll be a nervous wreck by the end of the season."

Preece's side got off to the best possible start, scoring a goal after three minutes - the first goal in the entire football league programme. And what a strike it was.

Bhutia twisted and turned on the left touchline before spraying a 40-yard pass to Matt Barrass on the other flank. Barrass played a neat one-two with Martyn Forrest before delivering a perfect pass to Jon Newby unmarked at the back post who clinically slotted the ball home.

A gem of a move and one, which had it been in the Premiership, would have had the pundits drooling. "What a goal, it was fantastic, all one-touch and something we've been working on," added Preece.

It was out of the blue when Tranmere equalised. Gary Parkinson beat Redmond for pace and slotted a low shot past Kenny.

But Bury were not to be outdone. Jason Jarrett replaced Forrest and almost immediately crossed for new captain Paul Reid to smash home from close range.