Dogs of war!

TWO games into his spell at Gigg Lane and Andy Gray is already looking like the free transfer of the season.

And the former England international just cannot stop smiling following his move from Falkirk.

He laughed and joked his way through another 83 minutes of top class work on Tuesday night and even managed a huge grin when told the manager had not been entirely satisfied with him.

The unshakeable bond between Gray and boss Stan Ternent is another example of the close knit unit the Shakers have become.

The squad's stubborn one-for-all and all-for one philosophy has, recently, caused off the field friction but on the pitch it is one of their most positive and potent weapons. Something Gray has cottoned on to very quickly.

"We play SAS football. We are the First Division's dogs of war," he proclaimed after the 3-2 victory. "These lads know how to stick together and they work very hard. There is no reason why we cannot be another Wimbledon.

"If the younger players listen and learn and don't show some of the big names in the division too much respect then we can do well. I suppose you could say I am here to help them, sort of a Guardian Angel, you might say."

Angel or not, Gray certainly showed a number of heavenly touches at Gresty Road where he started in a three-man midfield rather than at the back as he had done against Reading.

He was booked in the the 13th minute when Ashley Westwood crumpled under nothing more than a shove, but that was the only blemish on another classy display.

The Shakers' all-action approach ruffled Dario Gradi's style conscious side so much that the visitors were able to dictate the pace all night.

Even two absolutely brilliant Crewe goals barely had an impact on the general flow of the contest which was nearly always towards the home goal.

Alex had barely had a touch before they took a shock sixth minute lead when Dele Adebola outpaced Chris Lucketti to the goal-line and pulled the ball back for Kenny Lunt to rifle a volley high past Dean Kiely's right hand.

Ronnie Jepson missed a chance to equalise after 'keeper Jason Kearton spilled Gray's long throw but the Shakers were back on level terms in the 28th minute when Dean West's corner to the far post was headed back across goal by Chris Lucketti and Gordon Armstrong rose above the rest of the pack to nod home his second goal in two games.

Five minutes later Bury were in front in bizarre circumstances.

Tony Battersby seemed to stub his toe and leap out of the way as Shaun Smith hurtled in with a sliding tackle but referee Riley saw it as a foul and awarded a penalty. Jepson calmly opened his account for the season by placing the ball to Kearton's right hand.

The advantage lasted only seven minutes before Armstrong was penalised for a push on Colin Little and Smith's left foot curled a stunning shot around the wall and high into the net.

Both Nick Daws and Gray might have restored the Shakers' advantage in injury time but missed when well placed in the box.

The pair were, then, amongst the most relieved in the 50th minute when Gray's throw from the left touchline was only half cleared and David Johnson crashed a left foot shot through the crowd and into the bottom corner.

Kiely made sure there was no way back for Alex when he thrust out his right leg to deny Adebola and then brilliantly whisked the ball off the same player's toe. The rest of the match seemed to be spent watching substitutions and Mr Riley who booked five Bury players and thrust his yellow card at Crewe's Seth Johnson.

A one-goal victory barely did the Shakers' justice as the dogs of war showed their bite to be as loud as their bark!

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