Doncaster Rovers 3 Bury 1: GRAHAM Barrow believes Bury's Good Friday fixture with promotion chasing Torquay has suddenly become one of the club's biggest matches of the season.

And he is demanding a renewed effort from his side to finally protect their third division status.

Back to back defeats against Boston and Doncaster means the Shakers still aren't free of relegation worries.

The comfort zone they'd built up after an eight game unbeaten run isn't looking quite so comfortable and Barrow says: "The Torquay match is one of our biggest games for quite a while.

"I think this week there has to be a big focus on this game and the one at York next Tuesday.

"It's a similar situation to the one we faced after losing at Lincoln just after Christmas."

For the first half at Belle Vue-a ground where Bury hadn't previously lost in six visits-the Shakers looked capable of reaching their target against the division three leaders.

They were the better team in the opening 45 minutes and there were a number of jeers for the home side when they left the pitch.

And a 0-0 scoreline should have been 1-0 in Bury's favour but for a poor header by Harpal Singh from Matt Barrass's cross.

However, Bury didn't have time to frustrate their Yorkshire hosts for any length of time in the second period. Within 58 seconds they went behind to a tap-in from top scorer Greg Blundell.

From that moment Bury's hopes of salvaging a point or better always looked wafer thin. David Nugent worked tirelessly as the lone striker but hardly received silver service from his team mates.

Singh, starting a game for the first time since last autumn because of injury to Gareth Seddon, didn't look half as dangerous as Doncaster counterpart Michael McIndoe.

But he did manage a fine consolation goal-an achievement some of his Bury colleagues seem unable to match this season.

However, Singh's curling 20 yard free kick two minutes from time counted for little.

Blundell's opening goal enabled Doncaster to play with greater confidence and freedom.

Glynn Garner, who made one excellent stop from the ex Northwich star in the first half, saved again after 57 minutes while Lee Duxbury cleared a header from Adebayo Akinfenwa off his own line.

Akinfenwa was a constant menace and he set-up Blundell to double 'Donny's' advantage after 68 minutes.

Akinfenwa then hit the post and saw Garner claw the rebound to safety before he got his rewards for a fine performance.

Blundell outpaced Colin Woodthorpe to reach Dave Morley's long pass and played in Akinfenwa for Rovers' third.

To their credit Bury refused to go under without a fight. Nugent headed straight at Andy Warrington from Colin Woodthorpe's centre while Singh netted his first goal since October 25.

Nugent then forced Warrington into a vital save as Doncaster almost conceded again.

However, there was to be no great escape placing extra importance on the forthcoming holiday games.

Match stats:

Doncaster (4-4-2): Warrington, Mulligan, Albrighton, Morley, Ryan, Melligan (Rigoglioso 80), Doolan, Green (Ravenhill 75), McIndoe, Akinfenwa (Fortune-West 80), Blundell; subs not used: Collin, Williamson.

Goals: Blundell (46 and 68), Akinfenwa (73).

Bury (3-4-1-2):

Garner 7, Swailes 8, Challinor 6, Woodthorpe 5, Barrass 6, Duxbury 5 (O'Shaughnessy 77), Flitcroft 7, Kennedy 6 (Cartledge 77), Dunfield 5 (6 Porter 59), Nugent 6, Singh 6; subs not used: O'Neill and Solly.

Attendance: 6221

Referee: Mr N. Miller

Goal: Singh (88)

Bookings: None

Sending-off: None

Attendance: 6221

Referee: Mr N. Miller

Shakers star man: Danny Swailes-coped as well as anyone with Doncaster's swift and strong forward line.