Carlisle United 1 Bury 2 By Phil Thorp at Brunton Park

ANDY Preece's happy travellers wrapped up another three away points in a game that only came to life midway through the second half.

Both sets of defenders were well and truly on top until Cumbrians' skipper Peter Murphy blasted his side in front with a 30-yard free-kick just after the hour mark.

It was a truly magnificent strike that was totally out of place in a game that up to that point had been high on effort but low on quality.

As far as Carlisle were concerned it was the worst thing Murphy could have done as his goal awakened the slumbering Shakers who went on to seal the game in a sensational two minute spell.

Bury had good cause to feel aggrieved at going behind as Chris Billy's challenge on former Bolton reserve Ryan Baldacchino that earned the free kick looked anything but an infringement.

But they got back on level terms in the 73rd minute thanks to another tremendous set piece, this time from Preece himself.

His left foot effort, awarded after Murphy had upended the Bury boss on the edge of the box, bent viciously as it flew into the top corner of Matt Glennon's goal and had the ecstatic manager making a 60 yard celebration charge to the Bury supporters.

"I was delighted with that. I fancy every one I take at the minute," grinned Preece who took his impressive goals ratio to four from five games.

"I just whacked it, but you do have to make sure you hit the target."

Two minutes later Bury stunned the home fans by going in front when Lee Unsworth raced half the length of the field to bravely head home Chris Billy's left wing cross.

The Gigg Lane men haven't been involved in a no-score draw for 27 games but this encounter looked certain to break that sequence until the Cumbrians took the lead.

In a nip-and-tuck first period there were little in the way of goal chances although Glyn Garner had to be on his toes to block an effort from newly-signed Craig Farrell then Danny Swailes hacked clear a follow up effort from Carlisle's debutant striker Paul Robinson.

Preece admitted he'd gone for experience in his team selection and picked himself, Steve Redmond, Liam George and Lenny Johnrose ahead of some of his younger players.

"I felt we needed more older heads out there today," said Preece. "Both 'Shaughny' and Matt Barrass can consider themselves very unlucky not to be left out but fortunately the decision came off."

In fact it paid off handsomely as the Shakers' battling display ended a run of four straight victories for Roddy Collins' side and immediately after the game the Carlisle boss was left looking disconsolately into a pint of Guinness with fans in the Beehive pub across the road from Brunton Park.

Once the Shakers got their noses in front the game began to open up and both goals had close shaves.

Carlisle were left rueing an effort that was disallowed for a foul on Garner and the Shakers keeper did superbly well to block a late strike from the home side's best performer, Leon Osman, an impressive youngster on loan from Everton.

That said it wasn't all one-way traffic. In the final minutes another up-and-coming Evertonian Dave Nugent again showed what a blossoming talent he is with his speed and direct running while Jon Newby had three glorious chances to

settle any late nerves firing either side of the post then seeing Glennon block another goalbound effort.