BLACKPOOL 0 BURY 1:A FEW more battling performances like this and Bury's relegation worries will be a thing of the past.

The Shakers fully deserved their three point haul as they adapted to atrocious playing conditions much better than the Steve McMahon's Seasiders.

The pitch was passed fit after a 10.30am inspection but overnight rain left it like a bog and with a gale force wind blowing across Bloomfield Road it was never going to be a game for the purists.

But with inspirational skipper Martyn Forrest back in the side after a foot injury Bury showed skill and invention going forward and in the latter stages when Blackpool began to turn the screw they defended like heroes to defend their slender advantage.

The winning goal arrived after only eight minutes and Forrest, who has never been on a losing team since taking the captain's armband, had a hand in it.

It was his astute ball that sent the livewire Jon Newby away down the left. A combination of the sodden surface and the former Liverpool man's trickery left Blackpool defender Phil Thompson on his backside and when his low drive was only half blocked by keeper Phil Barnes Gareth Seddon was on hand to lash the ball home from close range.

The one goal advantage was well deserved and the movement of Newby, Seddon and George Clegg caused the Seasiders defence, marshalled by former Shaker Ian Hughes, no end of trouble.

The home side brought transfer listed striker John Murphy off the bench at half time and the big man's introduction gave the Bury defence plenty to think about.

But they were in no mood to relinquish their hard earned lead and manfully blocked anything that Pool threw at them and when anything did get through they found Shakers keeper Paddy Kenny in his usual unflappable form.

One block, in the final minute by Jamie Stuart, typified the spirit as he lauched himself in front of Murphy who looked destined to grab a late equaliser.

Playing his last game before a four game suspension Stuart again looked the class act he undoubtedly is and his boots will take some filling over the next few weeks.

But while the home side pounded away at a resolute defence it was the Shakers, roared on by more than 700 travelling fans, who continued to carve out the clear cut openings on the break.

Newby, with time, space and only Barnes to beat, should have broke the net after being set up by Clegg and the Blackpool custodian did well to block a Jason Jarrett effort that had goal written all over it.

FORMGUIDE: Kenny 8, Collins 8, Stuart 9, Swailes 8, Unsworth 8, Borley 8, Jarrett 8, Clegg 8, Forrest 9, Seddon 8, Newby 8. Subs: Preece (for Seddon, 85). Not used: Lawson, Hill, Nelson and Connell. Attendance: 4,923.