Oxford United 2 Bury 1 - BURY boss Andy Preece was left fuming after his side dominated Oxford but returned home with nothing to show for their efforts.

It was just the kind of performance that saw the Shakers relegated to Division Three and one game into the new campaign Preece is in no mood for his charges to start making a habit of it this term.

"It's the same old story but different season," he declared. "The players ought to be ashamed that they didn't get anything out of that game and I've told them so.

"We should have been getting off to a good start, our performance deserved it, but they way we defended was criminal."

Two goals in the space of five first half minutes put paid to Gigg Lane men. The first came from U's skipper Andy Crosby via the penalty spot after Lee Unsworth handled in the box under pressure from Manny Omoyinmi.

The Bury defender claimed the diminutive Nigerian striker gave him a shove in the back and that his momentum forced his arm to catch the ball.

Referee Matt Messias thought long and hard before giving the spot kick but once awarded Crosby gave Glyn Garner no chance with his effort.

The goal gave Oxford a new lease of life as prior to that they never looked remotely capable of causing the Shakers any problems. Omoyinmi grabbed the second goal himself when he left the Bury defence flat-footed and raced on to an incisive ball from Dean Whitehead to fire a low drive past Garner.

Yet, there really was only one team in the game for the first half hour. With debutant Pawel Abbott and Jon Newby's mobility and workrate causing untold problems for the Oxford defence it seemed only a matter of time before the Shakers made the breakthrough.

Both Abbott and Lee Connell went close as the home defence showed ominous signs of creaking every time Bury went forward.

To the delight of the home crowd the matchday announcer announced that Oxford were top of the Third Division table at half time but the second half showed that Ian Atkins' side aren't likely to stay there.

It was virtually one way traffic with the home side defending desperately as the Shakers launched wave after wave of attacks.

Full-back Matty Barrass was sacrificed for newcomer Liam George early in the half and the switch from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-3-1-2 with the former Luton man playing just behind the front two began to pay dividends.

The Republic of Ireland U-21 international was unlucky to see a powerful left foot drive blocked by Woodman after a neat ball from Abbott played him into the box.

A goalbound header from Danny Swailes was deflected wide by David Oldfield then Newby sent Abbott clear on goal but the Polish striker could only crash the ball against the legs of Woodman when well placed.

When the Shakers did reduce the deficit four minutes from time it was the result of a moment of magic from George Clegg. The former Manchester United youngster picked up the ball 25 yards out and curled a magnificent left foot effort out of the reach of Woodman and found the net off the inside of the post.

From then on it was all hands to the pumps for the home side as the Shakers looked likely to snatch a more than deserved draw. "Cleggy's goal was great but it really should have been the winner," added Preece.

"They probably had three attacks in the first half and two in the second yet they've won 2-1.

"It's wrong and we will sort it out. Players will have to stand up and be counted because I won't put up with displays like that."

STAT ATTACK

Shakers form guide: Garner 6, Barrass 6, Unsworth 6, Redmond 6, Swailes 6, Stuart 7, Forrest 7, Connell 7, Clegg 6, Newby 7, Abbott 8. Subs: George (for Barrass 54) 7. Not used: Nelson, Preece, O'Shaughnessy, Hill.

Referee: Matt Messias (North Yorkshire)

Attendance: 5,309