Reported by Eric Wood at Gigg Lane

The Shakers started the game in the best way possible as they claimed the lead just three minutes into the game. Brian Barry-Murphy fired in yet another pin point cross from the right hand corner for Andy Bishop in the six yard box, who had no difficulty firing home the close range header to give Bury the early lead.

Goal Bury 1-0 Macclesfield (Andy Bishop 3)

The stats were firmly stacked in Bury's favour after taking the lead. The Shakers are still unbeaten when scoring first in the league, and Macclesfield have the worst record in the league when conceding first. Just after the ten minute mark Andy Bishop came close to getting his second goal of the game with a shot from just inside the area, but his shot went just wide of the right hand post. The Shakers improved league position however didn't last for long as news filtered through of Wycombe taking the lead against Aldershot, and Brentford getting the opener against Accrington. The Shakers though still had a grip on third spot because of Exeter being held at Lincoln.

The visitors had their first chance on goal around 15 minutes into the game when Gareth Evans managed to find space on the right wing to go for goal, but Wayne Brown had it covered as he dived to collect near his right hand post. As the game past 20 minutes Bury were looking in complete control as they continued to keep the ball in the Macclesfield half. The visitors were looking on several occasions to get forward, but the Bury defence was remaining strong and preventing them form creating any chances.

The playoff picture began to look clearer as the game hit the half hour mark. Gillingham took the lead against playoff hunting Chesterfield, which put them just three points behind The Shakers as they moved up to fifth after Rochdale's defeat against Darlington. Neither team at Gigg Lane though looked like changing the current score line as both teams began to settle into the game. Bury had looked good on the counter attack all season long, and were once again proving effective when Wayne Brown fired the ball deep for Michael Jones who had managed to shake off his marker. Jones tried to turn and face goal, but the Macclesfield defence was able to recover and force him off the ball.

Macclesfield had their first chance since the early stages when a deep corner set up Shaun Brisley with a good header which had Wayne Brown beaten, but John Welsh was on the far post to clear the ball away and prevent the visitors from grabbing the equaliser. The league leaders Brentford gave their championship hopes a huge boost before halftime as they claimed a second against Accrington.

Halftime: Bury 1-0 Macclesfield

The second half started pretty much as the first ended, with neither team really challenging each others defences. It was The Shakers though who had the first chance of the second half, and it would prove vital as they doubled their lead when Elliott Bennett played a good ball into the penalty area for Glynn Hurst who managed to shake off his marker and fire the ball underneath the Macclesfield keeper and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to give Bury a big advantage.

Goal Bury 2-0 Macclesfield (Glynn Hurst 57)

News came through not long after Hurst's finish that Wycombe had extended their lead against Aldershot, and Brentford had claimed a third against Accrington. With both sides with games in hand on the teams around them and both occupying first and second spot, automatic promotion is now theirs to lose. Exeter though were still being held by Lincoln, which meant The Shakers still had third spot and were a point clear.

Bury could have grabbed a third goal with twenty minutes left when Phil Jevons and Michael Jones combined well to set up Glynn Hurst deep in the six yard box. Hurst looked set to claim his second of the game, but Macclesfield defender Nat Brown did well to slide in and block the close range effort. With 15 minutes left Bury sealed their victory when Phil Jevons made a great run down the right wing and played in yet another good ball for Glynn Hurst deep in the six yard box. This time Hurst was able to finish as he fired the ball into the roof of the goal.

Goal Bury 3-0 Macclesfield (Glynn Hurst 75)

The Shakers could have rubbed more salt into Macclesfield's wounds as Elliott Bennett made a long run into the penalty area and fired a good shot at goal. Bennett's shot beat the keeper, but the ball smashed against the left hand post.

Fulltime: Bury 3-0 Macclesfield

Bury: 1. Wayne Brown, 3: David Buchanan, 4: Steve Haslam, 5: Ben Futcher (c), 9: Glynn Hurst (18: Andy Morrell 75), 10: Andy Bishop (22: Phil Jevons 63), 11: Brian Barry-Murphy, 14: Michael Jones (12: Danny Racchi 80), 16: Efe Sodje, 23: Elliott Bennett, 24: John Welsh

Subs: 6: Ryan Cresswell, 8: Richie Baker, 12: Danny Racchi, 18: Andy Morrell, 22: Phil Jevons

Macclesfield: 1: Jon Brain, 2: Izak Reid, 4: Sean Hessey (c) (3: Ahmed Deen 45), 16: Shaun Brisley, 27: Nat Brown, 7: Lee Bell, 14: John Rooney, 12: Danny Thomas, 26: Gareth Evans, 11: Jamie Tolley, 32: Colin Daniels

Subs: 9: Emile Sinclair, 3: Ahmed Deen, 17: Jordan Hadfield, 29: Patrece Liburd, 5: Richard Walker

Attendance: 3,499 (246 Away)