Manager Graham Barrow made a couple of changes to the Shakers starting line up as Whaley and Porter replaced Woodthorpe and Jones.
The Shakers could not be in anything but buoyant mood after their breathtaking performance in the 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Blundell Park was bathed in glorious sunshine as the undefeated Shakers kicked off and within 60 seconds they had taken the lead. A long throw from Challinor was launched into the box, flicked on by Nugent, and scrambled in at the back post by Barry-Murphy.
Grimsby Town 0 Bury 1
Challinor was booked after bringing down a fast breaking Sestanovich, just inside the Bury half, as he was looking to charge past the Shakers skipper.
A superb cross from the right flank by Simon Whaley was headed just over the bar by Nugent.
A horrendous back pass was intercepted by Nugent who scampered into the box but despite his valiant effort he was just unable to pull the ball back far enough to reach the onrushing forwards.
Eleven minutes into the game and Garner was called into spectacular action as he dived to his left and parried a shot from outside of the area by Parkinson. The ball fell to Mansaram but from close range he blazed the ball over the bar.
A defensive disaster let the Mariners back into the game when a cross from Sasanovich found Mansaram unmarked on the right side of the area and he controlled the ball and calmly rolled it under the dive of Garner.
Grimsby Town 1 Bury 1
Matty Barass was very harshly booked by referee Iderton when the ball bobbled up off the pitch and struck him on the hand.
Nugent was continually harassing the Grimsby defenders and his phenomenal work rate and attitude always seemed capable of hurrying them into an error and on 23 minutes a long range strike had Williams flying across his area to prevent a goal. Just minutes before Nugent had attempted to lob the keeper from distance.
Despite being pegged back Bury were still playing some great football and a superb move from defence to attack encapsulated all that is good about the Shakers so far this season. The ball was skilfully controlled and possession was maintained as players moved and supported their colleagues. No hoof ball but clever skilled play ended when Mattis' shot was blocked and cleared.
Bury continued to play controlled attacking football and were just lacking a little touch of fortune. Nugent again went on a dynamic, mazy run which saw him twist and turn his way into the area. His close control at speed was proving to be a nightmare for the Mariners defenders and it was only a despairing challenge that prevented him from putting the Shakers back into the lead.
Bury coped well with the attacking efforts from Grimsby and play ambled to a close with the scorelines level. Their delight at scoring within the first sixty seconds must have been tempered by the ease with which they allowed Grimsby to equalise. The Shakers were once again the dominant force but needed to convert one of the half chances that they had created.
Half Time Score: Grimsby Town 2 Bury 1
Within a minute of the restart Andy Parkinson had earned a penalty for the Mariners as he drew Challinor into a challenge just inside the area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the penalty kick by Parkinson was driven to Garner's right and yet again he superbly parried the ball away for a corner. A let off for the Shakers but worse was to follow as, from the resulting corner kick, a hand-ball by Barry-Murphy saw a second penalty awarded. This time Sestanovich stepped up to take responsibility but once again Garner guessed correctly and flung himself to his left. The Mariners striker was first to the rebound and gleefully smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Grimsby Town 2 Bury 1
There are some things that indicate that today is not going to be your day and five minutes later Chris Porter was held down in the box as he tried to get on the end of a long ball into the box but the officials waved play on when a penalty seemed the likely outcome.
A good break by Crowe saw him speed into the Bury area but his shot was well saved by Garner.
On 61 minutes Reddy replaced Mansaram.
An audacious lob by Parkinson had Garner frantically scrambling back towards his line. He managed to tip the ball onto the bar in his usual spectacular manner but the rebounding ball fell to Pinault who hammered the ball home.
Grimsby Town 3 Bury 1
Just a minute later and a badly disjointed Shakers almost conceded another but Reddy's shot was cleared by Challinor on the line.
The Shakers had an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 68 minutes when Porter released Nugent. He controlled the ball superbly and broke towards goal but was unable to steer the ball past Williams and his shot was deflected for a corner.
The Shakers had suddenly fallen apart and were being swamped in midfield. Parkinson broke down the right and drove a low hard cross into the box which was tucked away by Pinault at the far post.
Grimsby Town 4 Bury 1
Just a minute later and substitute Reddy skipped past Challinor, steadied himself in the box, and tucked his shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
Grimsby Town 5 Bury 1
Dunfield was brought onto to replace Mattis and Pinault was replaced by Coldicott.
Another fabulous save by Garner prevented Crowe making it six as he hammered in a shot from the edge of the area.
The Shakers fell apart in the second half and conceding two penalties once again was definitely not part of their game plan. Enforced changes to their usual formation had led to defensive instability and their weaknesses were exploited to the full. A good first half display gave hope of another positive result but all that had changed within minutes of the restart.
I suppose the home of Mariners is as good a place as any to get battered and the Shakers will need to regroup from a disastrous second half when they return to Gigg Lane next Saturday.
Final Score: Grimsby Town 5 Bury 1
Bury
Garner, Barass, Kennedy, Unsworth, Challinor, Whaley, Mattis, Flitcroft, Barry-Murphy, Nugent, Porter
Subs
Newby, Dunfield, Douglas-Pringle, Cartledge, Duxbury
Grimsby Town
Williams, McDermott, Crowe, Whittle, Ramsden, Gordon, Fleming, Pinault, Parkinson, Mansaram, Sestanovich
Subs
Young, Coldicott, Reddy, Marcelle, Bull
Referee: EL Iderton
Assistants: PE Curry and D Naylor
4th Official: C Bassingdale
