Bury vs Crewe Alexandra - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Gigg Lane

Following another heavy away defeat at the weekend to Cheltenham, the Shakers returned to home turf to face Crewe. The defeat saw the Shakers slip out of the play off places, but they were still within touching distance as a solitary point separated 4th and 8th place. Manager Alan Knill made three changes to the side that faced Cheltenham, with Andy Morrell, Michael Jones and Cameron Belford all making the starting XI. Shakers' keeper Wayne Brown had to sit this match out as he served his one match ban following his sending off at Whaddon Road. Crewe were sitting in mid-table going into the match, arguably with nothing but pride to play for.

A volleyed cross from Michael Jones on the right wing met the head of Andy Morrell in front of goal on 8 minutes but he headed well wide.

Bury had the ball in the back of the net on 18 minutes after a neat free kick taken by Jones on the left fell straight into the path of Efe Sodje in front of goal; he brought the ball down and slid it past Steve Philips in the Crewe goal, only to be flagged offside.

Clayton Donaldson had a sterling run down the right wing on 24 minutes after capturing the ball in midfield; he ran the length of the Bury half before cutting into the box and tee up a low shot which Cameron Belford gathered on his knees.

Moments later and at the other end of the pitch, Michael Jones tried an effort from just outside the box; powering the ball at goal, it was blocked by Philips.

Crewe came close to taking the lead on 27 minutes; a low cross from Joel Grant on the left of the box rolled in front of goal to Donaldson whose close range shot was blocked on the line by Belford. The loose ball fell to Donaldson once more but he somehow hit the crossbar.

GOAL! Bury took the lead on the half hour mark after some neat play between Ryan Lowe and Andy Morrell saw the latter shoot from 15 yards and see the ball into the back of the net with a classy finish.

Shakers 1 Railwaymen 0

David Worrall took the ball from the left wing to the right on 36 minutes, before teeing up a shot from just outside the area that was straight at Phillips.

A fast run down the left wing from Grant on 40 minutes looked dangerous for the Shakers, but his resulting shot was blocked by Sodje in front of Belford.

Two minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Crewe were awarded a corner. Taken on the left by Ashley Westwood, it met Shaun Miller at the far post who forced a headed clearance from Ryan Cresswell. Two more corners followed but both were cleared at the near post by Bury before time was called on the first half.

Half Time - Shakers 1 Railwaymen 0

GOAL! Bury doubled their lead in style on 48 minutes after a neat pass from Morrell on the left set up Ryan Lowe as he ran forwards towards the edge of the box; he sent a cheeky lob over the head of Steve Phillips in the Crewe goal and into the back of the net.

Shakers 2 Railwaymen 0

Morrell came close to doubling his tally on 51 minutes; a free kick from BBM in the middle of the field met the head of Ryan Cresswell at the far post who headed the ball back in front of goal. Morrell tried to turn and shoot but it was wide of the left post.

Substitution for Crewe on 67 minutes - Calvin Zola on for Shaun Miller

Substitution for Bury on 69 minutes - Tom Newey on for Stephen Dawson

An acrobatic save from Belford on 71 denied John Brayford a goal for Crewe; Brayford hit the ball with power from outside the box, but Belford dived to his right to maintain Bury's two goal lead.

Substitution for Bury on 74 minutes - Andy Bishop on for Andy Morrell

A shot from Paul Scott just outside the box on 80 minutes was deflected away for a corner; taken by BBM on the right hand side, it was cleared by Crewe before a free kick was given on the right of the box. Taken again by BBM, it was rolled along the floor to Ryan Lowe, but the Crewe defence got in front of him and cleared the danger.

Substitution for Bury on 82 minutes - James Poole on for David Worrall

GOAL! Bury made it three with three minutes left on the clock after James Poole made space on the right wing before threading the ball through to Bishop in front of goal; given the time to turn and shoot, Bishop planted the ball in the bottom right hand corner.

Shakers 3 Railwaymen 0

Three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury continued to press forward. Time was eventually called on a fantastic night at Gigg Lane; Crewe were there for the taking and the Shakers took three points with three goals. A crucial win lifted Bury back into the play off places with a confident performance, just in time to face a Port Vale side chasing the top seven in their next game.

Full Time - Shakers 3 Railwaymen 0

Attendance - 2178 (141 visitors)