Walsall 3 Bury 1: BURY need a few more lessons if they are ever going to shake off the 'L' plates, manager Stan Ternent reckons they still have in the division.

The suffering Shakers failed this test and must cut out the minor accidents which threw away three points, if they are to avoid crashing down the division.

They were in a higher gear than lowly Walsall in a first half which saw them drive forward relentlessly and create enough chances to sentence the home side to a six defeat in nine league games.

But schoolboy defending enabled Walsall to stay alive and then to sense an unlikely second league victory could be on when Kyle Lightbourne capitalised four minutes after the break.

From being in command Bury, was suddenly chasing the game and a miserable day was complete when Mark Blake lashed a stunning angled drive into the top corner 16 minutes from time.

It was three goals from three chances for a home side who must have been as grateful for the Shakers' defensive lapses and Ternent was furious

He described the marking as 'slip-shod', 'diabolical', 'suicidal' as he reflected on a sixth game without victory.

The moments of madness apart, however, he was satisfied with the performance and left to rue: "Goals change games and if we give them away like that we are going to get what we deserve, which is nothing."

Bury looked ready and able to return to winning ways as first Johnrose was unlucky to get just half a touch to Dean West's killer cross and then Rob Matthews somehow missed the target from six yards before their problems started at the other end.

John Hodges' 11th minute corner would normally had been meat and drink to Bury who for some reason left Adrian Viveash unmarked and he made them pay with a bullet header.

The Shakers responded with a display of skill and power befitting their lofty position and heroic home keeper Trevor Wood had to twice rescue his side with magnificent reflect saves to claw a Matthew's header and a wickedly-deflected Johnrose volley around the woodwork.

The Shakers wouldn't be denied and on the stroke of half time got the breakthrough when Mark Carter slotted home from the spot after Chris Marsh handled under pressure from Matthews.

Hodge gave Bury an early alarm after the break with a stunning 35-yard volley on the turn which whistle inches over before Bury fell victim to the second sucker punch.

Viveash was again given a free header which Dean Kiely beat out Martin Butler who saw his shot cleared off the line by Johnrose and Lightbourne ate up the third bite of the cherry.

The second half performance was as aimless as the first had been convincing, despite being given numerical advantage by John Keister's 69th minute dismissal for a rash challenge on Nick Dawes.

The two team's fortunes were summed up within 30 seconds as David Johnson blasted high and wide after Wood had fumbled the ball into his path and then Blake showed the Bury striker how to finish as Walsall immediately raced to the other end.

When man of the match, Wood, pulled off the save of the day to deny substitute David Pugh at point blank range 10 minutes from time, it was obviously just not going to be Bury's day.

"We got ourselves back into the game and had enough chances to win comfortably", reflected Ternent who must be concerned by his side's goal return of just three in the last six games - and two of those from defenders.

BURY FORMGUIDE: Kiely 6, West 6, Binsom 6, Dawes 7,Butler 6, Jackson 6, Woodward 6, Johnson 5, Matthews 5,

JOHNROSE 7, Carter 6. Subs: Pugh 6, (for Binsom 60 mins), Rigby 6 (for Woodward 71 mins) and Stant. Att: 3254.

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