Mansfield Town 5 Bury 3: ANDY Preece reckoned his team's potential downfall this season might come in scoring goals.

Right now, Preece's problem is how to stop the ball flying into the net at the other end of the pitch.

And the Bury player boss agrees that until the right balance is found, there could be a few more results like this one in the months ahead.

"I've always said I don't think we are as strong as we were last season," said Preece.

"And until we get that blend then we are going to be up and down.

"Sometimes with the younger players, and the older ones as well, they don't always take on board what you're telling them."

Lee Connell's header, from a Ben Thornley cross, put Bury in front against the run of play.

They protected their lead for ten minutes before Junior Mendes grabbed an equaliser.

Soon, the lively Wayne Corden swivelled inside the area to make it 2-1 and just before the break he rounded off some slick football to grab his second.

After 57 minutes, Bury got one back when Seddon unleashed a terrific 20-yard shot that fizzed into the bottom corner.

In the 62nd minute Lawrence restored the two goal cushion with a fine solo goal.

Connell flashed in another long distance effort to make it 4-3, before Lawrence completed the scoring.

"That fifth goal summed up our night," said Preece. "We didn't react when Glynn made the save, we didn't react when the ball came off the crossbar and we allowed their player to go past two players and shoot home."

Bury form guide: Garner 7, Unsworth 5, Swailes 7, Strong 5, Woodthorpe 4 (Kennedy 6, 53mins), Thornley 7, Connell 8, Duxbury 5 (Seddon 7, 46mins) O'Shaughnessy 7, Singh 6, Preece 6 (Porter 5, 73 mins); Subs: O'Neil, Gunby.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

Attendance: 4,145