Bury 1 Cambridge Utd 0 by Phil Thorp: BURY fans who decided to treat their partners to a Valentine's Day out at Gigg Lane may have some relationship troubles to iron out over the next few days.

In retrospect, a box of chocolates, bouquet of flowers or even an afternoon at Bury Market with a stone in your shoe might have been the

better option.

Setting aside the fact that Graham Barrow's side picked up three crucial points, and registered their first double of the campaign, there was little to cheer from this lacklustre display.

Yet it all started so brightly with the Gigg Lane men storming into the lead after only 63 seconds when Gareth Seddon expertly raced onto Dave Flitcroft's through ball to fire past keeper Shaun Marshall.

But with the appetite whetted so early in the game, an expected goal feast did not materialise, and it was the visitors who enjoyed the lion's share of possession for the rest of the match.

That they didn't take something out of the game is due to the new found defensive steel that Barrow and coach Kelham O' Hanlon have added to the side in recent weeks. And in the back three combination of Dave Challinor, Danny Swailes and youngster Jon Cartledge, they had three performers who shone like beacons in a murky night.

A grim first half was almost devoid of any worthwhile goalmouth action, although Seddon might have doubled his and Bury's tally after 37 minutes, had he not volleyed wide when picked out by a fine free kick from Tom Kennedy.

The general consensus at half time was the fare could only improve -- an assessment that proved way off the mark.

Bury simply were not at the races in the opening 15 minutes of the second period and it only seemed a matter of time before Cambridge levelled. The visitors could scarcely believe their luck as they ran up seven corners in the space of ten minutes, and once again only stalwart defending kept them at bay.

Glyn Garner superbly saved a point blank header from Alex Revell after he had been picked out by former Shakers, trialist Stevland Angus. Then a minute later David Bridges should have done better with a cross from Luke Guttridge, heading over when well placed.

As the half wore on, Barrow introduced Simon Whaley, Paul O' Shaughnessy and

Joe O' Neill for Lee Connell, Flitcroft and Terry Dunfield, and the trio did their best to try and liven up proceedings.

O'Neill came closest to doubling the Shakers score five minutes from time when, fed by Jon Daly, he cut inside to fire a low angled effort just wide. But Seddon's goal proved enough, thanks to a hard earned fourth clean sheet in five games.

"The players know they haven't performed well," said Barrow. "I just wonder if a bit of edginess crept in by us scoring an early goal."

"It's frustrating because we know we can play better, but hopefully things

will settle down, knowing we have another three points on the board."

BURY FORMGUIDE:

Garner 7, Challinor 8, Swailes 8, Duxbury 5, Cartledge 7, Connell 6 (Whaley, 64, 6), Dunfield 6 (O'Neill, 79, 6), Flitcroft 5, (O'Shaughnessy, 71, 6), Kennedy 7, Seddon 7, Daly 6.

Subs not used: Porter and Solly.

Referee: Mr Phil Prosser (Gloucestershire)

Attendance: 2,322