Swindon 3, Bury 0 OH dear. In a match which manager Andy Preece told his players defeat was not an option, Bury were hammered so convincingly relegation now seems a distinct possibility writes Steve Canavan

The match was all but over after just 13 minutes as Bury went two goals behind, full back Lee Unsworth the main culprit for both.

The Shakers had chances to get back into it during the first half but were hampered by a bizzare team selection which included four central defenders in Chris and Danny Swailes, Steve Redmond and Sam Collins, as well as full backs Unsworth and Chris Armstrong.

It was a match notable too for the part of Billy Ayre.

He appeared to be the manager in everything but name, shouting instructions from the touchline, taking the half-time team talk while Preece warmed up with the other substitutes on the pitch and talking to the press afterwards.

Asked afterwards who was in charge, Ayres replied: ''It was a case of Andy wanting me to get amongst them at half time.

"There's no joint management team. Andy picks the team and he's in charge.''

Whoever is pulling the strings, they need to be pulled harder because once again Bury were wretched.

Swindon were ahead in four minutes, Unsworth allowing left wing back David Duke to advance 20 yards into the area and drive the ball hard across goal.

Paddy Kenny spilled it and Michael Reddy -- making his debut on loan from Sunderland -- knocked the ball into an empty net.

Ten minutes later, Unsworth somehow allowed the impressive Reddy to disposses him on the right touchline and the striker ran into the box where he was felled by a clumsy Sam Collins challenge.

Midfielder Keith O'Halloran neatly dispatched the spot kick low to Kenny's right.

At this stage, Bury at least started to play but again couldn't convert the chances they had.

Within two minutes they should have scored but the unfortunate Unsworth -- who must have wished he'd stayed in bed -- couldn't beat Swindon keeper Steve Mildenhall with a one-on-one chance.

On 18 minutes, Steve Redmond hit a glorious 35 yarder which was superbly tipped over by Mildenhall.

And when two minutes later Lutel James miskicked from point blank range, the travelling fans began to sense it wasn't to be their day

Bury continued to huff and puff but to little effect and the second half was truly dismal.

The Shakers threw on three substitutes, including strikers Ady Littlejohn and Baichung Bhutia, but they had no real chances.

And it was no surprise when Swindon made the points safe on 66 minutes.

Kenny, having a rare off day, flapped at Duke's long throw and Steve Crowe headed the ball back over a crowd of players and into the roof of the net.

Just to complete a miserable afternoon, Unsworth limped off with a knee injury which will keep him out of tomorrow night's LDV Trophy quarter final against Chesterfield.

''The preparation for this game has been excellent and it's gone well in training all week but it counts for nothing after the disasterous start we made,'' said Ayres, officially first team coach.

''You can't give anybody a two goal start and once again we faced an unphill battle of our own making.

"We had half a dozen decent chances to gte back into it first half but we didn't score.

''You can imagine how Andy feels. He is as disappointed as anyone.

"We came here with everybody hoping to get something from the game but after quarter of an hour the task seemed insurmountable.''

BURY: Kenny 5, DAWS 7, Collins 5, C Swailes 6, Billy 5, Barnes 6, James 5, Redmond 5, D Swailes 5, Armstrong 6, Unsworth 5. Subs: Littlejohn (James 58), Jarrett (D Swailes 58), Bhutia (Unsworth 64), Forrest, Preece. ATT: 4,960