THE phone number for The Samaritans flashed onto the electronic scoreboard seconds after the final whistle at Gigg Lane on Tuesday - it's always a sickener when you go out of the cup this early but surely not that serious!

What was very disheartening though, was the way the Shakers fell away after half time when for the previous 45 minutes they had taken the game to Sheffield Wednesday with plenty of vigour and invention.

A team that 18 months ago was playing Premiership soccer and still boasts a £2 million centre-forward, an Argentine striker on 12 months loan from Boca Juniors, as well as numerous performers with top flight and international experience were made to look decidedly ordinary and only a gift goal gave them a 1-0 half time lead.

Not even the bare-bellied Tango Man and Wednesday's famous drum and jazz band in the Manchester Road End could honestly say they deserved that advantage.

Once again Shakers striker Jon Newby ran himself into the ground causing the Owls defence plenty of trouble with his intelligent running and movement and in former RAF Gareth Seddon he had a willing partner.

It was after an initial lively first five minutes from the visitors Andy Preece's men took control and - in a throwback to last Saturday - had a good claim for a penalty turned down.

After 22 minutes the impressive Michael Nelson sent Chris Billy down the right flank, his powerfully struck cross just evaded Seddon at the near post and as Paul Reid went steaming in at the far post full back Ian Hendon slid in and appeared to guide the ball to safety with his arm.

The Shakers were clearly warming to their task but they were rocked on their heels when they went behind after 32 minutes.

It was a double slip that gave the Owls their advantage when Martyn Forrest allowed himself to be dispossessed by Trond-Egil Soltvedt in his own half.

The former Southampton and Coventry midfielder fed the ball to beanpole Dutchman Gerald Sibon.

Sibon threaded a 30-yard pass towards Efan Ekoku which was covered by Sam Collins, but as Collins went to clear he lost his footing and the big striker had all the time in the world to round Paddy Kenny and slot into an empty net.

"That first half performance was the best I've seen from us since I took over as boss," declared Preece.

"Everything we did was right, we passed the ball well and looked a good side, getting behind them and firing in shots.

"But they didn't create anything and we are talking about a First Division side against a Second Division one here."

Heaven knows what happened during the fifteen minutes half time break but it went a long way to making that divisional gap apparent.

From the restart Wednesday looked far sharper and took a firm grip on the game.

Seconds into the half Paddy Kenny had to be at his brilliant best to block an effort by Ekoku after the big striker got on the wrong side of Steve Redmond.

And it came as no surprise minutes later to see them double their account when Danny Maddix bundled home after the defence failed to clear a Sibon corner.

As the ball crossed the line for that crucial goal the self-belief that was evident in the first period visibly drained from the Bury team.

Preece brought on himself and Jason Jarrett in a bid to spark a revival but that plan never got off the ground as within minutes Wednesday added a third.

Again, Sibon was involved, launching a long throw into the box that was headed on twice before falling to Paul McLaren at the back stick.

The former Luton midfielder made no mistake with a well struck shot just inside the post.

In the closing stages both Newby and Seddon had goalbound efforts saved by Kevin Pressman and when substitute Aaron Lescott was adjudged to have pushed Seddon in the box Reid converted the subsequent spot kick for what was always going to be a consolation goal.

By then the 1,000 plus Wednesday fans had begun singing in tribute to Tommy Staniforth the young Wednesday defender who tragically died at the weekend at the age of 20.

It was a poignant sight that put the game into perspective - disappointing yes but there are far worse things happening in the world.

"It was difficult for our players tonight because all our thoughts are with Tom's family," said Wednesday assistant boss Terry Yorath, who lost a son, Daniel at the age of 15 a couple of years ago.

"I for one know how they feel. But we are pleased to get through and delighted the way we played in the second half."