The gaffer's pre match speech ended with three words to his beleaguered, suspension and injury ravaged squad.  'Don't be afraid'.  At quarter to five this evening, all thirteen players involved in this game trooped into the managers office and asked - 'afraid of who!'  This was a monumental victory from the Shakers against a side who are currently the division's highest scorers and a team that sat in third position before this game started.

Andy Preece had been forced to make five changes from the side that started against Northampton Town.  Jamie Stuart is out with damaged ankle ligaments and is expecting to be back for the Colchester game.  Danny Swailes, Sam Collins and Paul Reid are all suspended whilst the manager reverted himself to the bench.  In come Lee Connell, Michael Nelson, Chris Billy, Ian Lawson and David Borley.  Brentford were hit by the loss of inform Ben Burgess, thankfully!

An impeccable minutes silence was held before the game as a mark of respect towards the Royal Family after the death of the Queen Mother on Saturday afternoon.  Well done all.  Also, a massive well done to the 959 travelling Brentford supporters today.  We only hope you go on to achieve the promotion you deserve. 

Brentford got the game underway, kicking towards the Cemetery End.  Michael Nelson showed great determination in getting the ball and passing it back to Paddy Kenny for his first touch of the ball.  His first touch of the ball in the reverse game at Griffin Park had been to collect it from the back of the net after a very early Owusu strike. 

The very same chap was flagged offside within forty seconds of the game starting as he showed the shaky looking Bury defence what to expect.  The Bury defenders took note of this and effectively shut him out of the game for the rest of the match.  Chris Billy making his first start in over two months conceded a free kick on four minutes, the dead ball was hit into the box and Lee Unsworth, as a stand in Centre Half, combined well with Billy before clearing out of play for a Brentford throw.  Unsworth again did well to jump higher than Owusu and cleared the ball to safety.

Another Brentford attack soon followed as Ivar Ingimarsson attempted a long pass down the middle of the park, skipper Martyn Forrest was having none of it and intercepted the ball, he took one look and unleashed a long ball down the wing for Jon Newby to run onto, unfortunately the ball had to much pace on it and flew over the touch line for a Brentford goal kick. 

Steve Redmond may be injured and not involved with the side, but his characteristic 'hit the roof of the stand clearances' are having some affect on the lads, Brentford got three balls into the box this afternoon, and all three balls now sit happily on the top of the main stand roof.  Clearances from Unsworth and two from Nelson stopped the Bees swarming forward.

On 16 minutes, Steve Sidwell, who made his Bees debut against Bury back in Octobers mauling, cross into the box for Owusu, Mike Nelson had a better idea and got the ball first, controlled it and cleared up field to Newby.  Owusu must be sick and tired of the sight of a Bury shirt this evening as every half chance he got was cleared, blocked or swept away from his feet.  But he did have one chance to open the scoring on seventeen minutes, A cross from his skipper, Paul Evans on 17 minutes, was deflected by the big striker, happily just wide of the upright and out for a Bury goal kick.

One aspect of Paddy Kenny's game that has improved all season is his ability to catch and clear balls from Corners, and again he frustrated the Bees all afternoon with some good handling skills throughout the game.  One such clearance came on 21 minutes as he lumped the ball up the field to Jon Newby.  Jon was clattered off the ball and looked to be in some pain.  Physio Lee Noabes sprinted onto the pitch as Ian Lawson jogged to the touch line to be seen by the club doctor.  He had taken a knock on the head moments earlier and was suffering from a minor bout of double vision.  With both strikers receiving treatment

Dave Borley picked up the ball moments later after being setup by Martyn Forrest, he charged at goal and skipped around Rowlands, but as he was teeing up a shot on goal, Anderson flew in and cleared the ball off his feet.  A pass across the box to an unmarked Ian Lawson would have seen a good chance.

On the half hour, a Brentford free kick was met by an Owusu headed flick, thankfully onto the roof of the net and out for a Bury goal kick.  Five minutes later and it was Bury's turn to test the keeper.  New signing Phil Clarkson collected the ball with his back to goal, he turned sharply and struck the ball at goal, keeper Paul Smith blocked but saw his effort rebound back to Clarkson, Clarkey smashed the ball again, but this time beyond the upright for a goal kick.

Half time arrived and the Shakers had hung on to a share of the spoils, but looking back, they deserved it and had actually outplayed the visitors for brief spells of the game. Owusu was not a threat at all during the first 45 and the Bury defence stood up well against his aerial threat.

Two minutes after the re-start and Shakers supporters had a glimmer of hope to snatch at.  A Lee Connell throw into the box was headed clear by Michael Dobson.  Unluckily for him the ball fell to Chris Billy on the edge of the box.  Ceebs took the ball on his chest and unleashed a powerful drive into the bottom left hand corner of Paul Smiths net.  His first goal since May 2000, but who cares.  The strike alone is good enough to be entered into the goal of the season competition (available when I get the video).  The home crowd went into raptures and my website colleague from Brentford looked as though he was about to burst into tears.

Two minutes after Brentford had restarted the game, the ball was lofted over the Bury defence and Lloyd Owusu charged after it.  Paddy Kenny saw the danger and charged after the ball, with both players looking like they were about to collide, Paddy got there first and layed off a superb ball to Lee Unsworth.  Moments later and another Kenny long clearance was collected by Newby, Smith in the Brentford goal did a similar trick that Kenny had done moments earlier and cleared the ball for a Bury throw.

With fifty minutes gone and Bury on top, the Brentford defence looked as though they had just met each other.  Every ball that came there way was headed, kicked, tapped or smashed out of play.  Jittery stuff from the table's highest scorer's.  Jon Newby had the best chance of the game so far to increase Bury's lead.  Another lofted ball over the midfield found the former Liverpool hit man one on one with the keeper, he looked to have picked his spot and shot, only to see Smith block the ball and clear.

Young 16 year old Dave Nugent came on after 60 minutes for Jon Newby, Newb's has felt his hamstring tighten and the decision was taken to get him off then in case he damages the muscle any further.  It was to be the move of the game as for the next 30 minutes, young Nugent ran the Brentford defence ragged.  The lad is going to go far if he continues to play like this, it only remains to be seen if Bury can keep hold of him.

Four minutes after coming on, young Davey Nugent (as he will now be known) collected the ball on the half way line, he decided to have a go at Dobson and beat him, he scuffed, smashed and dribbled around four more players in a superb show of determination, before releasing Ian Lawson with a sublime pack pass.  It was absolutely staggering???

George Clegg is proving to be an extremely versatile player and played this game as a stand in left back.  He produced a plethora of fine tackles, stops and clearances.  I have to admit, he is my vote for player of the season.  For someone who was told that he would be leaving if he did not improve his performances, he has gone from strength to strength. 

The move of the game came on 75 minutes, Brentford attacked in numbers down the middle of the mud bath.  Martyn Forrest stuck a foot out and intercepted a Stephen Hunt through ball.  He controlled the ball, took one look, and advanced five yards before sweeping a superb ball to young Davey Nugent on the wing.  Nugent then sprinted as fast as his little legs would take him to the by-line before sweeping the ball to Martyn Forrest in the middle of the box.  Everyone expected Foz to shoot, but he simply prodded the ball to an unmarked Chris Billy.  Keeper Smith saw the danger and charged at Billy.  Chris Billy, the Shakers player of the season from last term, showed some superb composure to side step Smith and smash the ball into the back of the net.

A truly staggering goal and a superbly worked goal.  Full marks have to go to young Davey Nugent for the skill, pace and determination that he showed in getting to the box.  Three minutes later and young Davey Nugent was at it again.  He broke the offside trap and charged at goal straight down the centre of the pitch.  Ijah Anderson tore after him and did catch him.  To me, and many sat in the press box, he pulled Nugent over in the box and we all thought a red card and penalty was to come.  Unbelievably, to us, the ref waved play on.  Give Nugent twelve months and faced with a similar position, no-one would catch him.

When faced with a similar position in earlier games you would expect the opposition to come out with everything to get something out of the game, but in all honesty, they never stood a chance as Bury stamped their authority on the game.  Lloyd Owusu was marked out of the game by a strong looking Bury defence.  Nelson, Unsworth and Clegg in particular had superb games, Borley, Forrest, Clarkson and Forrest never sat back.  Lee Connell did extremely well in-between midfield and defence.  Lawson, Newby and Nugent again all played superbly.  I could have given the man of the match award to any one of thirteen players and did consider Nelson, Unsworth and Clegg for the award.  But for the very fact that Chris Billy scored two vital goals, and could yet save our season, this games award goes to Chris Billy.  Well done Ceebs.