Rotherham United 1, Bury 2 INDIAN striker Bhaichung Bhutia brought some sunshine to a gloomy South Yorkshire Saturday with a superb goal as the Shakers picked up a well deserved three points.

On the evidence of this game the determined little man from the foothills of the Himalayas looks ready to fulfill his immense potential and show the English game just why he's such a sporting icon in his own country.

Receiving the ball from Darren Bullock 25 yards from goal he stopped, looked up and curled a magnicifent shot round the helpless Ian Gray in the Millers goal.

But as delighted boss Andy Preece pointed out after the match, it's his overall game that's improved since joining the club.

He said: "If you look at him compared to last season you can tell that his workrate and hold-up play is far better than it was.

"It was a tremendous goal but he's a great finisher and if we can get him into those positions enough there's no doubt he'll produce the goods."

But it would be wrong to put this victory down as a one-man show.

Bhutia's co-striker, Ady Littlejohn, also had a great game and grabbed the winning goal with a left foot volley from 12 yards.

It was a fine all-round team performance that made a mockery of last weekend's harrowing home defeat at the hands of Wrexham.

At the back, Chris Swailes and Sam Collins coped well with the twin threat of Leo Fortune-West and former Manchester United striker Mark Robins and when the Millers did get a sight of goal they found the irrepressible Paddy Kenny in fine form.

Bhutia's goal arrived two minutes from the interval and would have given the Shakers a well deserved half time lead but for a disappointing leveller in first half stoppage time.

A right-wing cross by Paul Warne deceived the Shakers' defence for once and Rob Scott arrived first to head past Kenny.

Earlier, the Bury 'keeper had done well to foil Robins, blocking with his legs when the striker found himself in a one-on-one after springing the offside trap.

But his best save -- and the turning point in the game -- arrived after 65 minutes when the dangerous Guy Branston headed powerfully down from a corner only to see Kenny save and, crucially, hold onto his goalbound effort.

Seconds later, the ball was at the other end and Littlejohn scored what proved to be the winner in front of a vociferous Shakers following.

Preece said: "The fans who saw last week's game will be wondering how we've managed to pick up six points out of nine so far.

"But we carried on from the Crewe game and if you take the Wrexham result out, we've had a great start to the season."

Chris Swailes and Sam Collins were in dominant mood at the centre of the Bury back line but their quality display came as no surprise to Preece.

He said: "That's how good they can be. They know how much I rate them, it's down to them and they can be as good as they want to be.

"Sam can go on from here and play at a higher level while Chris should be playing at a higher level, he's as consistent at they come.

"They both had poor games against Wrexham but have bounced back and done really well since.

"Steve Redmond has also done well for us and has a steadying influence on the defence." Bury formguide: Kenny 8, C. Swailes 8, Collins 8, Redmond 8, Unsworth 8, Billy 8, Daws 8, Bullock 8, Reid 8, Littlejohn 9 (Crowe, 82), Bhutia 9 (James, 88). Subs not used: Preece, D. Swailes and Forrest.

Referee: Bill Burns (Scarborough)

Attendance: 3,739