SHAKERS 0, NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2: Bury boss Chris Casper admitted for the first time that his side are in real relegation danger.

Two goals behind inside the first 40 minutes, any hopes of salvaging anything were crushed in first half stoppage time when on-loan striker Nathan Jarman was dismissed for a challenge on the Cobblers' Josh Low.

To make matters worse, a furious Casper was forced to sit in the stand for the second half, after his remonstrations with the official at half-time saw him get the same treatment.

Northampton took the lead in the 29th minute with a freak own goal from Bolton youngster Andy Parrish.

The second arrived when Scott McGleish broke into the box, and he unselfishly slid the ball across the face of goal for Andy Kirk.

"We gave it a right go after the break but we can't feel sorry for ourselves," said Casper.

"You have to regard it as a relegation battle now."