Bury 3, Cardiff City 2

NEIL Warnock may have described this game as a 'manager's nightmare' - but it's a fair bet he'd settle for a few more repeat performances over the next few months.

Okay, so Cardiff were handed a couple of goals and may even have snatched a share of the spoils in the final minute - but sometimes it's the result and not the performance that counts.

That was certainly the case at Gigg Lane on Saturday as the plucky Welshmen twice fought back from a goal down before finally succumbing to a worthy winner as Bury extended their unbeaten home league run to five games.

While all eyes were on the diminutive figure of Baichung Bhutia, the Shakers' high-profile signing from India, it was gutsy veteran Andy Preece - playing through the pain barrier - who finally killed off Cardiff's resolve, scoring with a fine header from Paul Reid's inch-perfect cross 12 minutes from time.

A nagging hip problem has left Preece unable to train for the past three weeks and leading scorer Ian Lawson has also been struggling due to an ankle knock, but their repective injuries didn't prove a burden when they combined to give the Shakers a great start in the third minute.

The goal came from a meticulously rehearsed practice ground routine as Nick Daws' long throw was headed on by Preece and Lawson reacted first to steer past City 'keeper Seamus Kelly for his eighth goal of the season.

Cardiff hadn't scored in their previous five visits to Gigg Lane, but the lively Jason Bowen should have smashed that sequence four minutes later when he could only direct a point-blank header straight into the arms of Bury 'keeper Paddy Kenny. The Cardiff defence, which included on loan Manchester City defender Tony Vaughan, had a fragile look to it and a second Shakers goal looked on the cards whenever they applied any sustained pressure.

Daws broke down the right and drilled a fine ball across the face of goal that evaded everyone, then the Shakers skipper turned up on the left flank to deliver a measured cross that Lawson headed wide at the near post.

But the Bluebirds refused to lie down and played some neat football at times without seriously troubling the Bury back line and their best efforts came courtesy of Willie Boland and Kevin Nugent who both had tame headers saved by Kenny.

Lawson's injury forced him out of the fray at half-time and Warnock pitched in Bhutia for his first taste of English soccer.

The Indian skipper was soon in the thick of the action firing in a shot within seconds of the restart then earning a puzzling caution two minutes later for not retreating from a Cardiff free-kick.

Despite his obvious lack of match fitness, the Shakers new boy showed ability and tenacity and he's sure to be a very useful acquisition once he's sharpened up on the training ground.

Nevertheless, his appearance didn't prove as talismanic as the home fans might have wished as Cardiff drew level after 49 minutes.

When Andy Legg's corner kick was met by Kevin Nugent, Jason Fowler challenged Kenny to the loose ball, but his punch only returned the ball to Nugent who lashed it home through a crowd of players.

Ten minutes later the Shakers were back in front when Darren Bullock fired home a low drive from 18 yards after Bhutia's presence caused consternation in the Cardiff ranks.

That should have been the signal for the Shakers to take control of the game, but the never-say-Dai Welshmen bounced back again after 67 minutes.

Clever work by Bowen resulted in the striker getting in an effort that Kenny could only parry and the predatory Nugent reacted quickly to grab his second goal of the game.

The romantic conclusion would have been Bhutia to have snatched the winner on his debut, but on this occasion the job deservedly went to Preece.

Paul Reid showed a fine turn of speed to go round Winston Faerber, then delivered a precision left wing cross onto the head of the big Shakers' striker, who powered home his third goal of the campaign.

Paul Barnes replaced a tiring Bhutia, but there was almost a sting in the tail for Bury when Cardiff substitute Dai Thomas missed an absolute sitter.

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