Ramsbottom Utd 0 Bury....1

A YOUNG Bury team won a final pre-season warm up at Ramsbottom United this week but there wasn't much in it.

What's becoming a traditional annual friendly took place on Tuesday night in front of 426 people at the Riverside.

A late goal from Shakers trialist Mike Lyons secured a 1-0 victory but Ramsbottom, who play in the North West Counties league and last week held a strong Burnley team to a 2-2 draw, pushed the visitors all the way.

Bury's team - Garner; Connell, Hill, D Swailes, Redmond; Bullock, Jarrett, Forrest, Armstrong; Bhutia, Buggie - started the game brightly but Ramsbottom carved out the best chance of the first half when David Yorke-Robinson's low driven cross was met by Russell Brierly. Bury keeper Garner just stopped the ball on the line.

Bury's best chance fell to Lee Buggie but goalkeeper Keith Nield pulled off a terrific save to deny the young striker.

The match lost it's momentum in the second period as both team's brought on a number of substitutes, Bury bringing on Hutchinson, Lyons, Taylor, Souter and Halford.

Just when the contest seemed to be heading for stalemate, Lyons popped up unmarked on the left side of the area and rifled the ball home from 10 yards.

Ramsbottom United's next game is a friendly at home to Accrington Stanley of the Unibond Premier League. Kick off on Monday 14 Aug at 7.30pm.