peg back leaders BATTLING Bury trashed Walsall's 100 per cent record in the Second Division's match of the day.

Two goals from central defenders Chris Swailes and Sam Collins put the skids under the Saddlers as Andy Preece's men again showed what a quality outfit they they are this season.

Ray Graydon's side had won all five of their opening fixtures - a sequence that won him the division's manager of the month award.

As often happens with that accolade it was followed by a defeat but the former Aston Villa winger could have no complaints.

Preece's men showed just how adaptable they can be by putting in the kind of power play performance reminiscent of the Ternent years.

They bombarded the Walsall goal, especially after the break when they kept the league leaders camped in their own half.

Defensively the Shakers were superb and Brett Angell - always a thorn in the club's side in recent encounters - wasn't allowed a look in as Swailes, Collins and Steve Redmond coped with everything the free-scoring Midlanders threw at them.

"A few of us were off our games in the first half but in the second we were superb," said Preece.

"We were so strong and well organised it was going to take a good side to withstand the pressure we put on them."

The breakthrough arrived after 56 minutes when Swailes beat Walsall 'keeper James Walker to Redmond's long ball and poked it home despite a desperate attempt to clear by Andy Tillson.

Twenty minutes later Swailes defensive partner Sam Collins grabbed the first goal of his professional career when he rose to head home a Nick Daws free kick.

But the Gigg Lane men didn't have it all their own way as Walsall started strongly, playing with the confidence that goes with an unblemished start to the campaign.

It took a brave block by Collins to deny Angell his ubiquitous goal against the Shakers just before the break but Saddlers 'keeper James Walker was busier than Paddy Kenny in the Bury goal and only kept the half time scoresheet blank with two superb reaction saves from Paul Reid and Redmond.

After the restart there was only one team in it as Preece's men took a stranglehold on the game.

It wasn't the stylish football that has delighted the Gigg faithful so far this season but the kind of determined, professional display that bodes well for the next eight months.

"We bombarded them and eventually it told. They showed what a good team they are in the first half but we stood up and were counted and proved we're not bad ourselves," added Preece.

"It's the sign of a decent side that can play football one game and switch their style around when the situation needs it."

Preece was also delighted with the performance of central defender Sam Collins.

The big Yorkshireman notched the first goal of his professional career to round of a superb defensive display.

And Preece believes Collins has what it takes to play at a higher level in the game if he so wishes.

"I was a bit critical of Sam last season. He's a big lad but I thought he was being bullied out of certain games. That hasn't been the case this season," said Preece.

"He won't get a sterner test than Brett Angell and he did superbly against him. If he continues to play like that there's every chance he'll move on. "We don't want to lose him but he has all the ability in the world. Sam's goal was just what we needed and he should be getting a lot more now."

BURY: Kenny 7, Barrass 8, Daws 8, Collins 9, Swailes 8, Billy 8, Littlejohn 7 (James, 90), Reid 7, Bullock 7 (Forrest, 90), Redmond 7, Preece 7 (Crowe, 81).

ATTENDANCE: 4,755

REFEREE: Mr P. J. Joslin (Newark) By Phil Thorpe Bury's Chris Swailes scoring Bury's first goal against Walsall.