BURY'S sensational away form continued as they put neighbours Accrington Stanley to the sword to move back into the League Two play-off places.

Michael Jones and Brian Barry-Murphy scored in the first-half to hand Bury the points, but they were indebted to a penalty save from keeper Wayne Brown at the end of the first-half.

Brown saved John Mullin's penalty on the stroke of half-time – his third penalty save of the season.

The win caps a decent month for the Shakers, and manager Alan Knill said: “We're delighted with the victory. This is a hard place to come and I can't praise the players enough.

“That's nine points out of 12 this month and it puts us where we want to be. The lads have been fantastic to turn around what was a poor month in October.

“We have been in the play-offs all season, but we know to stay there we have to keep grinding out results and stay on our game.”

The match was played in dense fog, and there were times when it could quite easily have been called off, and it was Accrington who dominated the opening throes.

Gregg Blundell, on loan from Darlington, had the first chance of the match in only the second minute, but he couldn't get his shot on target after getting behind the visitors backline.

Shakers striker Andy Bishop was foiled by a brave block on 15 minutes, before the hitman did have the ball in the net on 23 minutes – only to see it ruled out for off-side.

Bishop slotted home Glynn Hurst's through ball with aplomb, but could only watch in anguish as the linesman flagged.

Bishop and Hurst, who scored two goals apiece last weekend, were linking up well and the former nearly scored three minutes later when he lobbed the keeper but missed by inches.

Bishop, however, did have a hand in Bury's opening goal on 35 minutes when he crossed from the by-line and watched with glee as Michael Jones headed home unmarked at the far post for his second of the season.

Three minutes later and Bury doubled their lead when Brian Barry-Murphy opened his account for the season by rounding Accrington keeper Kenny Arthur and finding the back of the net.

Stanley were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Blundell totally outfoxed Efe Sodje and was brought down for his troubles.

The Bury defender was lucky to stay on the field when a penalty was given, but Mullin was foiled by fans favourite Brown.

The second half was a more cagey affair, with Bury playing five at the back in an effort to kill the game, and it wasn't until the 67th minute that there was a real opportunity from either side.

Elliott Bennett went on a 40-yard run, but could only shoot straight at the keeper. Nine minutes later, Bennett crossed for Shakers new boy Dean Howell but a debut goal was foiled by Arthur's reflex save.

Accrington got their second penalty of the afternoon on 78 minutes when a foul was given for a push on Mullin, and substitute Nathan Clarke stepped up to make it a nervy final few minutes for Bury.

Thankfully, that was the last real play of an uninspiring contest as Bury notched their 18th point of the season on their travels.

Next up for Knill's men is a trip to Macclesfield on Saturday.

Accrington Stanley: Arthur 6, Richardson 6 (Murdock 6, 46), Edwards 6, Charnock 6, King 6 (Mahon 6, 66), Ryan 6, John Mullin 6, Griffiths 6, Miles 7, Paul Mullin 7, Blundell 6 (Clarke 7, 66). Subs not used: Speare, Proctor.

Bury: Brown 7, Scott 7, Sodje 6, Futcher 7, Buchanan 7, Bennett 7, Dawson 8, Barry-Murphy 8, Jones 7 (Howell 6, 60), Hurst 7 (Cresswell 7, 60), Bishop 7 (Morrell 90). Subs not used: Baker, Racchi.

Attendance: 2,093

Referee: Lee Probert (Gloucs)