London falling _ Shakers rising!

A MAN who has, by his own admission, played only a bit part in the Shakers rise to the top of Division Two finally took centre stage at Griffin Park on Saturday.

Dean Kiely produced a string of breath-taking saves as he and his teammates put on an oscar winning performance in the capital.

Kiely's heroics earned him rave reviews all over West London as Brentford's fans went home shaking their heads in disbelief that their side hadn't scored and had slipped three points behind their title rivals.

It was Bury's fourth win and fourth clean sheet in succession.

"That was probably my best game in a a Bury shirt," confirmed the 26-year-old 'keeper. "I have been a virtual spectator for the last three games and it was nice to show what I can do if needed.

"I made a couple of good early saves and once you've done that you start thinking it could be your day. The lads all played well it was a real team effort. However, it's gone now and we can't afford to rest on our laurels."

Kiely was doing anything but rest in the spring sunshine as the Shakers assumed the mantle of title favourites.

His first serious work came in the third minute as he flew high to his right to pluck 22-goal Carl Asaba's shot out of the top corner.

It was a magnificent stop but proved only a hors d'oeuvre for a sumptuous main course.

Kiely went on to block Kevin Dennis' 23rd minute effort with his body and repeated his show of bravery in the second half when denying Robert Taylor.

Like a true performer, though, he saved his best for last as he somehow clawed Carl Hutching's 80th minute point-blank header against the post. It was a masterclass in the art of goalkeeping from Kiely but there were thirteen others who made sure the Shakers emerged from the battle of Brentford bloodied but unbowed.

The Shakers' central defenders were rock-solid all afternoon with Andy Woodward showing the kind of form that allowed Stan Ternent to sell Michael Jackson to Preston just before the transfer deadline.

It was Woodward who provided the most telling contribution to the 33rd minute Nick Daws' wonder goal that took the wind out of Brentford's sails and allowed Bury to relieve what had been near constant pressure on their magnificent defence.

Gordon Armstrong's clearance began to gallop to glory, Mark Crater helped the ball on to Woodward who then made thirty-five yards before turning inside and delivering a high, floated diagonal ball to Daws who cooly lobbed the stranded Kevin Dearden from 17-yards out.

It was ever-present Daws' first league goal of the season and some reward for the unselfish work he contributes, week-in and week-out to the Bury cause.

"I'm not the most natural of finishers, everyone knows that, but the ball sat up sweetly and I just decided to hit it without thinking, perhaps that's the secret," smiled Daws later.

"Woody provided a great pass and I suppose it could just turn out to be the most important goal I've ever scored but only if we win promotion.

"We knew we had to win here, it was tremendously important that we kept our run going. We did a superb and professional job here but because we have been taught not to get carried away we will just have a quick celebration and then get ready for the next game. They can't come quickly enough at the moment." Daws' goal was Bury's first on target effort of the match but they soon doubled their tally. Adrian Randall was the provider with a 41st minute, diagonal ball that cut the Bees' defence in two and allowed David Johnson to race clear of last defender Brian Staham.

The Bury striker had advanced into the box on the right hand side when Statham delivered an ill-judged challenge that gave referee Furnandiz no alternative but to point to the penalty spot.

Carter, who had come on in the 20th minute to replace dead-leg victim Ronnie Jepson, made no mistake with the penalty tucking the ball to Dearden's left as the 'keeper moved to his right.

Brentford were deflated but a half-time pep talk revived them and it was all hands to the pumps for Bury in a frantic second forty-five minutes.

Chris Lucketti typified Bury's effort when he flattened the muscular Taylor in winning a 49th minute header and the rest soon followed the example.

Woodward and Gordon Armstrong were both hurt after a clash of heads inside their own penalty area and Johnson received a cut nose in a clash with Bees' skipper Jamie Bates but battered an bruised Bury soaked up everything Brentford could throw at them

Kiely's hands were as safe as the Bank of England and when Brentford finally did find a way through first Dean West was on the line to head away Paul Smith's seemingly net-bound 70th minute header and then Woodward blocked Asaba when he was clean through.

The home side visibly ran out of steam and Bury could have enjoyed an even more emphatic victory. Randall had a fine effort blocked by David McGhee with Dearden beaten; Bates had to produce a superbly timed challenge to rob Johnson on the edge of the box and West's corner sped across the face of goal without anyone getting the required touch.

Kiely, though, had the final word as he pounced on Hutchings' shot and then nonchalantly tipped over Smith's rising, 88th minute drive before rushing the full length of the pitch to join in the now familiar celebrations with the travelling Bury army which was some 700-strong and in good voice throughout.

So they should be, they've certainly got something to sing about.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.