Bury 1 Northampton 0

A PIECE of magic Paul Daniels would have been proud of, settled a contest the Shakers should have won by a country mile.

The magic was a sublime nutmeg from Indian international Bhaichung Bhutia that set up Bury's 72nd minute winner, gratefully tapped home by midfielder Darren Bullock.

The win and three points took Bury to joint top in the table and made amends for last week's horror show against Wrexham.

"I'm delighted with the way we've played over the Bank Holiday period," said ecstatic Bury boss Andy Preece, whose side beat Rotherham 2-1 on Saturday.

"We would have been happy with four points but to get six is great. I thought we dominated the match and if the players can keep doing the same things there is no reason why it can't continue."

The Shakers dominated the game from start to finish, Adrian Littlejohn coming closest to breaking the deadlock in an exciting first half when his shot on the turn crashed against the woodwork so hard that the crossbar was still shuddering 10 minutes later.

The breakthrough came out of nothing. Bhutia - hero at Millmoor on Saturday with his 25 yard wonder goal - beautifully outwitted a defender on the left, pulled it back to Chris Billy. Cobblers keeper Keith Welch saved the shot but could do nothing to prevent Bullock from knocking the ball into an unguarded net.

Gigg Lane breathed a sigh of relief because as time ticked on it looked as though Bury would be denied the victory they deserved.

Northampton hardly got a look in, even experienced striker Marco Gabbiadini failing to trouble Bury's superb central defenders, Sam Collins and Chris Swailes.

And after the goal Bury should have had more, the lively Littlejohn and sub Dean Crowe both denied in good positions.

The only downside was an injury to Lee Unsworth who was caught from behind by Northants striker Forrester. Bury's right-back, who has been in excellent form since he arrived from Crewe during the summer, tweaked his ankle ligaments and is likely to be out for a fortnight.

BURY: Kenny 8, Daws 8, Collins 8, C. Swailes 7 Billy 7, Littlejohn 9 (James, 90), Reid 7, Bullock 8, Bhutia 7 (Crowe, 74), Redmond 7, Unsworth 8 (Forrest 7, 52). Subs not used: Preece, D. Swailes.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN: Welch, Hendon (Morrow, 88), Frain, Spedding, Hunt (Savage, 74), Howard, Gabbiadini, Hughes, Hope, Forrester (Hodge, 74), Green. Subs not used: Sampson & Sollitt.

Attendance: 3,182

Referee: Mr G. Cain (Bootle)