Torquay Utd 3 Bury 1: ANDY Preece will step up his search for a new centre half this week with the Shakers facing a defensive crisis.

Cynics may say there has been a defensive crisis all season, especially away from Gigg Lane where Bury have now lost six of their seven league and cup outings.

Indeed, the visitors were perhaps fortunate to get away with only conceding three goals against a lively and creative Torquay side.

But it won't get any better for Bury unless they can add some steel to the side.

Greg Strong has hardly surprisingly returned to Hull City after a less than distinguished two months loan spell while Danny Swailes is doubtful for the trip to Cambridge because of a hamstring injury.

In addition, Lee Unsworth and Colin Woodthorpe are both facing one match bans after being sent-off and booked at Plainmoor.

"We've not got too many options at the back," agreed Preece after his team failed to re-produce the fine performance against York last Tuesday.

"We've got a few names in mind who we'd like to bring in. But whether they're available is another matter."

But this defeat wasn't just about the defence, it was about the whole side failing to take collective responsibility.

"When the ball is in our area it sometimes looks as though we switch off," adds Preece.

"Our concentrations levels need to be improved. The last thing I told them before they went out for the second half was we had to defend better at set-pieces.

"And within 30 seconds they go and score from a corner. It wasn't even the first ball or the second ball, it was a third header we didn't clear.

"And that's where we lost the game-right after half-time. Even so we didn't play with the same energy levels we had done against York. Our passing and our movement wasn't as good either."

The only player to emerge with any credit was Glynn Garner whose string of saves kept the scoreline to respectable proportions.

Skipper Lee Duxbury didn't do badly either but the absence of Swailes certainly disrupted the defensive unit.

But the pressure was building and it was no surprise when Torquay went in front.

Jo Kuffour was given the freedom of the Bury left and with time and space to cross he picked out Graham to steer in his eighth goal of the campaign.

It was at this point Preece took off Terry Dunfield and replaced him with Joe O'Neill.

And soon O'Neill was setting up Chris Porter for an equaliser. The substitute held off a challenge before laying off the ball for Porter to strike from 15 yards.

Porter and Gareth Seddon then had half chances to put Bury in front while Harpal Singh cleared off the line at the other end.

However, all the good work was undone within 55 minutes of the re-start. Bury failed to clear a corner and Kuffour stabbed the ball through a ruck of legs to restore Torquay's lead from close range.

But Torquay always looked in command, especially when Unsworth-as the last man- was sent marching for holding back Graham.

FORM GUIDE: Shakers - Garner 8, Unsworth 5, Duxbury 7, Woodthorpe 5, Connell 6, Whelan 6, Dunfield 4 (36 mins O'Neill 6), Gunby 6, Singh 6, Seddon 6 (78 Whaley 6), Porter 7. Not used: Preece, Cartledge, Kennedy.

Goals: Torquay - Graham (25), Kuffour (46), Russell (86), Bury - Porter (37).

Bookings: Bury - Woodthorpe (21), Seddon (63), Garner (66). Sent-off: Bury - Unsworth (74-professional foul).

Attendance: 2732. Referee: Mark Warren.