OXFORD UNITED 2 BURY 1: ON the evidence of this showing the Shakers are still reading from the same script as last season - and that's a worry for boss Andy Preece.

The Bury manager was left fuming following Saturday's opening game at the Kassam Stadium as his side dominated Oxford but returned home with nothing to show for their efforts.

It was just the kind of performance that saw the Shakers relegated to Division Three and Preece is in no mood for his charges to start making a habit of it this term.

"It's the same old story but different season," he declared. "The players ought to be ashamed that they didn't get anything out of that game and I've told them so.

"We should have been getting off to a good start, our performance deserved it, but they way we defended was criminal."

Two goals in the space of five slack first half minutes put paid to Gigg Lane men.

The first came from U's skipper Andy Crosby via the penalty spot after Lee Unsworth handled in the box under pressure from Manny Omoyinmi.

The Bury defender claimed the diminutive Nigerian striker gave him a shove in the back and that his momentum forced his arm to catch the ball.

Referee Matt Messias thought long and hard before giving the spot kick but once awarded Crosby gave Glyn Garner no chance with his effort.

The goal gave Oxford a new lease of life as prior to that they never looked remotely capable of causing the Shakers any problems.

Omoyinmi grabbed the second goal himself when he left the Bury defence flatfooted and raced onto an incisive ball from Dean Whitehead to fire a low drive past Garner.

Yet, there really was only one team in the game for the first half hour.

With debutant Pawel Abbott and Jon Newby's mobility and workrate causing untold problems for the Oxford defence it seemed only a matter of time before the Shakers made the breakthrough.

Both Abbott and Lee Connell went close as the home defence showed ominous signs of creaking every time Bury went forward.

To the great delight of the home crowd the matchday announcer declared that Oxford were top of the Third Division table at half time but the second half showed that Ian Atkins' side aren't likely to stay there.

It was virtually one way traffic with the home side defending desperately as the Shakers launched wave after wave of attacks.

Full-back Matty Barrass was sacrificed for newcomer Liam George early in the half and the switch from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-3-1-2 with the former

Luton man playing just behind the front two began to pay dividends.

The Republic of Ireland U-21 international was unlucky to see a powerful left foot drive blocked by Woodman after a neat ball from Abbott played him into the box.

A goalbound header from Danny Swailes was deflected wide by David Oldfield then Newby sent Abbott clear on goal but the Polish striker could only crash the ball against the legs of Woodman when well placed.

When the Shakers did reduce the deficit four minutes from time it was the result of a moment of magic from George Clegg.

The former Manchester United youngster picked up the ball 25 yards out and curled a magnificent left foot effort out of the reach of Woodman that found the net off the inside of the post.

From then on it was all hands to the pumps for the home side as the Shakers looked likely to snatch a more than deserved draw.

As the home fans began whistling for time, Connell flashed a drive over the bar and Abbott was booked for a dive after going to ground under a challenge from Matt Robinson.

There was definite contact but referee Matt Messias must have been mindful of booking Omoyinmi for a similar offence earlier in the half.

On more than one occasion the Oxford striker demonstrated his diving skills and as far as the 327 Bury fans that made the trip were concerned he would have been better received at Manchester's Aquatic Centre a couple of weeks ago.

"Cleggy's goal was great but it really should have been the winner," added Preece.

"They probably had three attacks in the first half and two in the second yet they've won 2-1.

"It's wrong and we will sort it out. Players will have to stand up and be counted because I won't put up with displays like that."