Bury 2
Mansfield Town 1
BURY brought their ten-game run without a win to a timely end in this LDV Vans Trophy first-round tie at Gigg Lane.
But Andy Preece's experimental side didn't have it all their own way against Third Division strugglers Mansfield Town.
Opting to throw in a number of the club's promising youngsters in a bid to halt the demoralising sequence, it was a nervy home side that took to the field.
Indeed, it was the Stags that made all the running in the early stages and were well worth their 26th minute lead.
It was another calamitous mistake by the Shakers' usually reliable 'keeper Paddy Kenny that gifted them their advantage.
In his last Gigg Lane appearance he made a gaffe that allowed Northwich Vics to earn a draw in the FA Cup first round -- a mistake that had disastrous consequences as the non-leaguers won the eventual replay.
This time the Yorkshireman allowed himself to be dispossessed by Stags striker Shayne Bradley yards out of his goal.
Bradley fired against the post only for Danny Bacon to snap up the rebound and slot home comfortably.
Twelve minutes later the Shakers were level when debutant goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington -- no stranger to Gigg Lane from his days with Manchester United reserves -- allowed an innocuous ball from young full-back Chris Armstrong to somehow spill from his grasp into the path of Chris Swailes who notched from close range.
The goal visibly lifted the Shakers who at last began to take the game to their Nottinghamshire opponents and finished the stronger side.
The half time interval worked wonders and there was only one team in the game in the second period.
Five minutes from the restart they grabbed what proved to be the winning goal when all-action midfielder Jason Jarrett headed a Paul Reid flag kick powerfully into the roof of the net at the far post.
Paul Barnes almost got the goal his hard work deserved when he got on the end of a flick from young Andy Smith, then the Sheffield United striker -- on loan to the Shakers -- almost got a goal on his home debut but saw his powerful effort bravely blocked by Mansfield's Mark Blake.
The delight on Andy Preece's face was there for all to see after the game and he's not underestimating just how important the win was under the circumstances.
"What a relief that is," he grinned. "I kept pretty level headed when we were winning games at the start of the season but this is worth celebrating!
"We were poor in the first half and Mansfield had the better of things but then we got a stroke of luck for our equaliser - just the sort of thing that hasn't been going for us.
"In the second half we looked a totally different team after changing things around and probably should have scored more."
He added: "But we needed this win and it doesn't matter which competition it comes in." We'll be bubbling again in training this week and I have a few tough decisions to make before the Oldham match next weekend."
BURY FORMGUIDE: Kenny 7, C. Swailes 7, Forrest 7, Barnes 7, Reid 7 (Daws, 87), Smith 7 (James, 75), Redmond 7, Hill 7, Jarrett 8, Armstrong 8, Unsworth 7. Subs not used: Billy, Preeece and Halford.
Attendance: 1,117
Referee: Mr H. Webb (Rotherham)
PETER - We had a pic taken of Terry Robinson collecting if you want it for Monday night this piece can go with it!!!
Terry joins the
SOS bucket brigade
THE first Save Our Shakers bucket collection has been heralded a great success by Bury FC officials.
The club raised £1,500 prior to Saturday's game an amazing amount given the lowly 1,117 attendance.
Generous Bury supporters dug deep and there were even Bolton Wanderers fans and Mansfield Town supporters that contributed to the cause.
Shakers chairman Terry Robinson, who braved the wind and pouring rain along with other helpers, was delighted: "It was a brilliant response considering the size of the crowd," he said. "One man was too ill to come but still donated £20."
It was a sentiment that was echoed by Bury boss Andy Preece. "The people who gave today are the true fans," he said. "It's not nice to keep asking the same people to keep contributing because it's the same one's who do it week in, week out.
"But it shows just what a precarious position we are in that we have to do that."
The campaign will continue for the visit of local rivals Oldham Athletic next Saturday.
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