Wigan 1, Bury 0

IF the warning sirens were sounding loud for Andy Preece before, now they are deafening as Bury slipped to their fifth consecutive defeat.

Even support from 300 Norwich fans - at the magnificent JJB stadium because the Canaries match at Burnley was postponed - didn't inspire them.

The Shakers conceded another sloppy goal and couldn't convert the chances they had.

A draw would have been a fair result but Preece's men suffered from their usual problem of not being able to get that small round thing into the net.

So when Wigan did break the deadlock on the hour, the one goal was always going to be enough.

It was a shame because Bury had more than held their own against a team tipped by most pundits for promotion.

"It was the usual story,'' said a desperately disappointed Preece. "We need to be more clinical and put our chances away.

"Having said that, at least I'm happier with our performance today than I have been with recent games.''

Bury should have been one up as early as the fourth minute when Adrian Littlejohn broke clear of Wigan's defence but faced with Northern Ireland's number one Roy Carroll, seemed to freeze and could only manage a tame shot which the big keeper smothered. A strong wind and heavy downpours made conditions difficult but Wigan striker Neil Roberts almost used it to his advantage with a wicked curling 25 yard shot which Paddy Kenny dived full length to superbly save.

Littlejohn went close again with a shot that was kept out by a combination of Carroll and the woodwork though a pass square to the unmarked Preece and Chris Billy might have been more fruitful.

But when Bury survived an almighty scramble in their own penalty area just before the break, it looked as though it could be their day.

They came out in determined mood after the interval and Littlejohn whipped over a perfect cross which eluded Carroll but there was no one to get on the end of it.

Then came the turning point. From a Nick Daws free kick, Sam Collins powered a sublime diving header towards goals but as the Bury fans began to celebrate Carroll's arm somehow grew a foot and he palmed the ball to safety.

Three minutes later came the goal and with it went Bury's chances.

Twelve minutes from time, Preece did manage a header across the face of goal which was desperately unlucky not to go in but it was Wigan who finished stronger and could have won by more. Bury were unfortunate but five defeats on the trot tells its own story and Preece has to turn things round sooner rather than later. BURY: Kenny 7, Unsworth 7, Barrick 7, Daws 7, Collins 7, Preece 6, Swailes 7, Littlejohn 6, Reid 7, BILLY 8. SUBS: Bhutia (for Redmond 81), James (for Reid 86), Barnes, Forrest, Jarrett. ATT: 6,662.