Redrow Lancashire Amateur League

BURY GSOB...2

PRAIRIE UNITED...1

BURY continued their climb up the table by posting another three points at the expense of struggling Prairie, in an instantly forgettable game at Buckley Wells.

Yet the Old Boys got away to a perfect start after just three minutes when McGinty sent Thompson free down the right.

Although the striker's cross cleared the far post, Lord retrieved the ball and set Watson up for a close range finish.

Moments later Thompson almost doubled the lead when he angled Rigg's cross goalwards, but the shot lacked pace, allowing the Prairie keeper to smother the ball at the foot of the post.

Watson then saw his cross deflected against the bar as Bury kept up the pressure, the visitors' only attack of note ended with Myers shepherding the ball to safety as danger approached.

But Prairie are noted for their speedy front runners and exploited a 13th minute burst down their left flank to provide a simple tap-in equalizer.

Their joy, however, proved extremely short-lived, as Bury forced a corner from the re-start and Jackson met Watson's flag kick with a thumping header to restore the lead.

Two further Prairie breakaways came to nought with angled shots across the goal, and although Bury held the bulk of possession they would be disappointed with just a single goal lead at the break.

Yet the second half brought no further reward for the Old Boys, as they sought to put clear daylight between themselves and their opponents.

Riggs went close with a long range lob early on, but there was little to trouble the Prairie 'keeper, and indeed it was Crompton who provided the only save of note, deflecting the ball away for a corner in the 63rd minute in an isolated Prairie attack.

Riggs, Holt and Myers all put shots the wrong side of the upright, but Bury could not capitalise on their approach play, settling for all three points by the narrowest of margins in this fairly nondescript affair.

Chadderton are tomorrow's visitors to Buckley Wells and Bury will be looking to avenge a 7-2 hammering inflicted on them just three weeks ago, Bury's only defeat in a six match spell from which they have taken fifteen points.

Goals from Ryan Harper (2) and Adam Hudson gave the second team an impressive 3-2 win at Rossendale, with standin 'keeper Chris Graham again providing a crucial penalty save.