Bury 2 Macclesfield 1

Hannah Ingram

Andy Bishop's first goal of the season after a lengthy injury layoff gave Bury their sixth consecutive win in League Two at home to Macclesfield.

Last season's top scorer for the Shakers marked a fantastic return to the game with a crucial goal with eleven minutes of the match remaining.

Macclesfield's best chance turned into a goal for Lincoln loanee Richard Butcher. A powerful drive from Lee Bell on the left of the box was luckily deflected by Butcher in front of goal on 24 minutes.

Bury brought things level four minutes later, after a foul from Colin Daniel on Stephen Dawson in the penalty area left the referee pointing to the spot, which Ryan Lowe dutifully converted.

A tricky tackle between Bell and Dawson with three minutes of the half remaining left both players with a yellow card and Dawson writhing on the field in agony.

The score line remained level going into half time, but the game had failed to pick up pace and was scrappy in most areas of the pitch.

The second half saw most of the possession stay with the Shakers as they pressed forward, but the Silkmen continued to stay resilient.

Bury had an early chance as the ball fell to Lowe on the left of the box from the restart, but shooting from an acute angle saw him put the ball into the side netting.

The next notable chance fell to Bury and was converted into a goal by Andy Bishop as he made his third substituted appearance since returning from injury.

Dawson managed to shrug off the pressure on the right wing with eleven minutes remaining, passing the ball in front of goal for the waiting Bishop who finished from close range.

Bury's sixth consecutive win sees them stay in third place in the league, constantly closing the gap on Rochdale and Bournemouth in the top two positions.