Marsden Lancashire Cup: Wigan 1, Bury 0.

BURY'S 1-0 defeat at the hands of Second Division Wigan Athletic at Springfield Park on Tuesday evening didn't leave boss Neil Warnock too downhearted.

Graeme Jones' 34th minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides and though the goal was a disappointing one the boss saw plenty to please him in the workout.

"That was the best I've seen us so far and I was quite pleased with the performance.

"In the first half we were a little apprehensive but that happens when a new manager arrives, but at half-time I told them to relax keep the ball in the opposiion half and I thought we went on to dominate quite well.

"The lads were disappointed because they lost but at this stage I just want to see them doing the things I'm asking them to do in training and that's what they did," he added.

The winning goal was conceded a very un-Bury like way when Jones eased through three weak tackles to fire past a helpless Dean Kiely.

Andy Preece came closest to levelling matters when he got on the end of a Chris Lucketti flick from a Gordon Armstrong free-kick in the second half while Lennie Johnrose, who impressed his new boss immensely, was unlucky to head wide in the closing minutes.

The Shakers now take on Rochdale or Oldham at Gigg Lane in the third/fourth place play-off on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.