SHAKERS 0, MANSFIELD TOWN 2: Shakers boss Graham Barrow gave his side two days off after their battling fightback at Boston last week - he won't be doing it again after this showing.

It wasn't so much the fact that his slide slumped to their fifth home defeat of the season, more the manner in which they went down.

True enough, Mansfield bagged both their goals on the break, but for the whole 90 minutes Bury looked completely bereft of ideas.

It was a poor display and one that will have everyone connected with the club peering over their shoulders at Cambridge United and Kidderminster in the division's relegation places.

After the previous week's battling two-goal comeback there was plenty of optimism going into Saturday's game with last weekend's catalyst, Bas Savage, making his home debut.

But the big Reading striker, on loan for a month, looked a shadow of the player that did so well in Lincolnshire seven days earlier.

The only way the home side seemed likely to score was through a set-piece move but time after time they squandered their opportunities with a dozen corner kicks failing to find a Bury shirt.

Perversely, it was following a Shakers corner that the visitors took the lead via a stunning goal that was completely out of place in the grim spectacle.

When Brian Barry-Murphy's right-wing flag kick found the grateful arms of Pilkington the former Manchester United youngster quickly delivered the ball to Gareth Jelleyman.

He, in turn fed Adam Rundle just inside the Bury half who launched a superb crossfield ball to Adam Murray.

Murray raced into the penalty area before lashing a marvellous half volley across Andy Marriott.

Prior to the goal both Fraser McLachlan and Richie Barker had squandered free headers while the home side's best effort was a 25-yard effort from David Flitcroft that flew just wide.

A half-time dressing down seemed to have a slight effect but, once again, the Shakers failed to seriously trouble the visitors' defence.

All they had to show for their efforts was a 53rd minute goalmouth scramble and even that almost resulted in a Mansfield goal as the visitors broke and Marriott had to be alert to stop a shot from Murray.

In the 79th minute Barker had a chance smothered by Marriott, but the travelling fans didn't have to wait long for their club's second.

Barker picked up the ball on the right and slotted the ball past Marriott, Murray helped it on with a flick into the path of Rundle, who slotted home at the far post despite looking yards offside.

Barrow fumed to Shakers' official web site: "We never looked like scoring. We had 12 corners today and never attacked any of them. For me it was the most inept performance for a long while. I can accept defeat at a push, I know we are not going to win all the games, but I am not happy today."

"In some ways I can't fault them for effort, we've been done with a smash and grab raid and their formation helped them."

Shakers now travel to Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday looking for a quick pick-me-up.

Shakers: Marriott, Fitzgerald, Challinor, Woodthorpe (Whaley 28), Unsworth, Flitcroft, Harkins, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Savage (Kazim-Richards 79), Newby. Subs Not Used: Moore, Cartledge, Garner. Booked: Woodthorpe, Harkins, Fitzgerald.

Mansfield: Pilkington, Neil, Baptiste, Buxton, Jelleyman, McLachlan, Curtis, Murray (Lloyd 90), Larkin (Asamoah 84), Barker (Smeltz 90), Rundle. Subs Not Used: White, Dimech.

Goals: Murray 38, Rundle 82.

Attendance: 2,529

Referee: A Hall (W Midlands).