FORGOTTEN man Ian Lawson came out of the shadows to fire the Shakers into the Northern quarter finals of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Lawson, who hadn't started a game for the Shakers this season, has been well down the strikers' pecking order at Gigg Lane, but he forced himself into manager Andy Preece's future plans with the game's solitary goal just before the half hour mark.

Crisis club Barnsley could be fewer than three weeks away from folding -- and with the luck they had in front of goal in the first half of this match you wouldn't bet against the shutters coming down at Oakwell.

The Tykes had a number of chances to open the scoring before Lawson capitalised on a weak clearance from goalkeeper Matt Ghent to volley into the top corner.

As the Shakers' defence showed some early jitters it was just as well that custodian Glyn Garner was in fine form and his 10th minute save from Dave Mulligan was the best of a number of good stops he made.

Bury boss Andy Preece again used the competition to give his 'fringe' players the chance to show what they can do and one or two of them came out smelling of roses.

Lawson, in particular, rolled back the years with the kind of display he regularly put in during his first spell at Gigg Lane.

With a bit more luck he might have had a hat-trick as twice in the early stages of the second half he went close to sealing the game for the Shakers.

In midfield, Paul O'Shaughnessy, too gave Preece something to think about, 'ratting' well and rarely wasting possession, while Liam George, showed glimpses of the talent that had him marked down as a star of the future in his Luton Town days.

"I'm delighted with the response I've had from the fringe players," said Preece.

"The match did it's job because it's given me a few problems in selecting the team against Plymouth.

"I've said to the players that if we are to be promoted it will be the strength of the squad that will be important, not just the team. I just wish some of the lads would do as well in reserve games!"

The Shakers made six changes to the side that lost to Torquay at the weekend, while Barnsley caretaker-boss Glyn Hodges made four from the team that defeated Second Division leaders Cardiff.

But after a first half in which both teams looked better going forward than defending, it was the Shakers who looked the more accomplished side after the break.

With Chris Billy again dominant at the heart of the engine room, Dave Nugent and substitute Simon Whaley both went close to adding to the Shakers' tally, although Kevin Betsy kept the defence on their toes, notably with a

cross that rebounded into Garner's hands off a post.

The Shakers' success was the third time this season they had dumped a team from a higher division out of a cup competition after putting Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers to the sword in the Worthington Cup.

They now have in their sights a fourth giantkilling act, with Second Division Plymouth Argyle in town for an FA Cup first round tie at Gigg Lane tomorrow.

"I'm delighted at how well we did," said Preece. "It's no mean feat to beat Barnsley at any time, they were a First Division side last season.

"We thoroughly deserved to win the game and it's great for 'Lawse' to get on the scoresheet.That's the kind of form he needs to show to get into the first team.

"I'm just delighted we bounced back from Saturday's poor performance and it's great to keep involved in cup competitions.