Carlisle United 2 Bury 1 by Neil Goulding: BURY's brave battlers came unstuck away to fellow strugglers Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

And defeat for Graham Barrow's team could not have come in a crueller fashion for the Shakers who worked hard in tortuous conditions to take an early lead.

Loan Stockport County defender Dave Challinor was the unlucky Shakers' player as he deflected the ball into his own net in the 52nd minute and from then on Barrow's team couldn't find a way back despite a string of good chances.

Out-of-sorts striker Gareth Seddon hit the back of the net for the visitors in the 25th - his first goal since October 25th last season when he scored against Darlington. That goal was Bury's 6,000th league goal.

But Bury needed more shots on target and it was no surprise that the home side used the windy conditions to their advantage.

Paul Simpson, the former Rochdale boss, levelled matters with a 30-yard thunderbolt free-kick which left Glyn Garner, in the Bury goal, no chance.

The ball flew into the top right hand corner and looked to curl away from Garner courtesy of the wind which Bury had to battle against in the first half.

And when Kevin Gray attempted a cross-come-shot in the 52nd minute, Challinor could not get out the way and the ball clipped the back of his heels and wrong-footed Garner. The keeper could only watch with dismay as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

"We threw everything at them and I thought we were worth the result," said Barrow. "But you don't always get what you deserve.

"Generally speaking, the players gave it a good shot and it was a fluky second goal.

"But you can't knock Carlisle for their effort. I don't think our players have let us down, but I'm disappointed that we did not take something from the match.

"The first 20 minutes of the second half were poor, but we battled hard and we have been in front against Carlisle twice this season and to lose is disappointing."

Bury came up against former boss Andy Preece and midfielder Chris Billy.

But it was two new players in Bury's ranks who impressed the most.

Barrow gave debuts to midfielder Dave Flitcroft and defender John Cartledge, and both players came through with flying colours.

"I thought John did great and Dave also played well," added Barrow. "John can do a job for us and has all the attributes of a great player. He is not the finished article yet, but he got plenty of potential."

And Barrow also had praise for Flitcroft, brother of Blackburn Rovers' star, Gary.

"Dave did well, too, particularly in the first half.

"But the difference was that we did not finish our chances - and now we have to keep working."

Carlisle boss Simpson, whose mistake allowed Bury skipper Lee Duxbury to steal the ball and thread through for Seddon to score the opener, admitted afterwards: "It ws my mistake for the first goal, but I just about made up for it.

"Everybody stuck in and fought for the points on a horrible afternoon. The conditions were terrible."

MATCH STATS

BURY (3-5-2):

Garner, Swailes, Challinor, Cartledge, Connell (Porter 69), Kennedy, Dunfield (Singh 83), Duxbury, Flitcroft, Daly, Seddon.

Subs (not used): Clegg, O'Shaunessey, Solly.

REFEREE: Mr G Cain (Bootle)

ATTENDANCE: 4,954