THE Shakers first victory in 17 games was a result Chris Casper could quite literally dine out on.

Having endured a week that saw former Gigg Lane boss Stan Ternent linked with a shock return to the club, Andy Bishop's 87th minute winner not only lifted a massive weight from his manager's shoulders.

It also secured a slap-up meal courtesy of Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, who had wagered an all-expenses-paid night out on which manager managed to break their respective team's losing streak first.

The Clarets are still searching, and judging by the smile on Casper's face after a tense six-pointer in Lincolnshire, it is a good bet that he will be happy to collect from his Championship compatriot.

"It's a horrible situation to be in," Casper said. "We are all in the same boat as managers, so it was a really nice gesture on Steve's part, I have known him for quite a while - and being a Burnley fan I hope they get out of trouble soon."

The offer made earlier in the week to Ternent,which he rejected, cast doubts on Casper's very future at Gigg Lane, but the Football League's youngest manager emerged with his head held high.

"I'm so proud of our lads. We handled Boston really well.

"The biggest thing to come out of this was the spirit of the game. They didn't let anything that happened last week affect them.

"We dealt with it as we do with anything that gets thrown in our way - and sometimes it make you stronger as well."

Casper elected to choose his most experienced available 11 - bringing veterans Colin Woodthorpe and Chris Brass into the starting line-up. His decision proved wise as Boston threw everything they had at the visitors in the first half.

Andy Warrington made a fine close-range save from Drewe Broughton on 22 minutes after some nervy defending. Francis Green was also a constant thorn in Bury's side, but thankfully, the former Lincoln man was just off target with three good efforts from outside the area.

Brass was forced to leave the field, and could now miss the rest of the season, after his groin injury flared up once more - leaving midfielder Richie Baker to enter the fray and Paul Scott to revert to right-back.

Bury didn't muster a shot at goal until the stroke of half-time, and only a magnificent piece of defending from Woodthorpe at the far post five minutes after the restart prevented Broughton from snatching the opening goal. However, Boston were increasingly looking a spent force - and Bury chould have taken the lead on 61 minutes when William Mocquet's dangerous cross found Glynn Hurst unmarked six yards out, only for him to crash a volleyed shot well over the bar.

Former Bury keeper Mark Greaves then made a fingertip save from his own defender Mark Greaves, suggesting the Shakers were heading for their first goalless draw in nearly a year.

But Bishop chose the perfect time to end a 10-game scoring drought, smashing a wonderful low drive past Marriott after Darren Kempson had knocked down Dave Challinor's deep free-kick.

The Shakers held on for the final few minutes of injury time, sparking scenes of celebration from the 284 fans behind the goal. Bishop threw his shirt into the crowd, and dedicated his winning goal to the fans who stood by him.

"It was the most important thing I have ever done. I have let myself down in recent weeks, not scoring goals, so that was down to the fans - they have been magnificent."

Shakers: Warrington 7; Scott 6; Challinor 6; Woodthorpe 8; Bishop 7; Brass 5 (Baker 6, 37); Buchanan 6; Jason Kennedy 6; Kempson 7; Mocquet 6 (Pugh 65); Hurst 6 (Youngs 89). Subs not used: Tom Kennedy; Fitzgerald; Youngs; Baker; Pugh.

Referee: Dermott Gallagher.

Attendance: 1,946.