Bury GSOB 2 Bolton County 4 - A POOR performance from Bury ended with a first defeat in ten outings.

The result leaves them nine points adrift of local rivals Radcliffe at the top of the table although the Old Boys do have two games in hand.

Net evan a late switch to Buckley Wells could help the local side after Bolton County declared their pitch unfit for play.

A scrappy opening period saw little goalmouth action with Paul Crompton comfortably saving a long range free kick and Bracegirdle going closest for bury with an angled drive across the face of goal.

But the game sprang to life midway through the first half with chances carved out at both ends.

Woods brought two fine saves from County keeper Williams after Croft fed him on each occasion and Crompton needed to be at his sharpest when the visitors also carved out two clear chances.

Yet Bury were clearly not at their best and allowed County to dictate the pace of the game.

Two sucker punches at the end of the first period duly gave the Bolton outfit a two goal lead after Bury's defenders allowed their opponents too much time and space.

But the two goal half-time deficit was reduced within 30 seconds of the restart when substitute Stuart Brown accelerated clear from the halfway line and although his shot was scrambled off the line Wodds was on hand to drive home the rebound.

Brown then went close on two further occasions as Bury increased the pressure and an equaliser looked likely.

But a third County goal towards the hour mark again dashed their hopes of a comeback although they then enjoyed arguably their best period of the game at 3-1 down, carving out a number of opportunities which sadly went to waste.

Then with only minutes remaining, Deakin's unlucky intervention saw him lift the ball beyond Crompton to extend the scoreline and although there was still time for Myers to add a late consolation goal Bury will recognise that their performance on the day was nowhere near the standard required to take anything from the game.

The corresponding second team game also brought victory to the Bolton side by 3-2 and Bury's fourths fell 3-1 to Chadderton.

It was left to the third team to restore some pride to the club on the day as they pulled off a superb victory at table-topping Moston.

After falling behind to an early goal Howard Marsh and Simon Morris put the Old Boys 2-1 up.

Moston then levelled before Chris Hughes and Steve Rawes grabbed the goals which now take the side to the head of the table on equal points with Gregorians while Moston now slip to third place.