It's capital punishment for Shakers

IT was a familiar story in West London on Saturday as the Shakers wrapped up a rollercoaster campaign in a losing vein writes Phil Thorp

It seems light years since they kicked off the season with a victory in the sunshine at Cambridge last August but some all too common failings conspired to deny them a successful away trip on the final day.

Despite having the lion's share of possession and by far the better chances it was Brentford, playing their third game in five days that picked up the points.

The Bees, who are expecting to lose boss Ray Lewington to Gianluca Vialli's Watford any day now, could hardly believe their luck as the profligate Shakers handed them victory on a plate.

After a first period that was typically grim end of season fare the home side went in front six minutes after the interval when Scott Partridge was allowed oceans of space to turn and fire past a helpless Paddy Kenny from the edge of the box.

It was their first attack of the half but the lead lasted just two minutes.

Paul Reid made amends for firing an 18-yard piledriver over the bar minutes earlier by setting up the Shakers leveller.

The precision left foot of the midfielder delivered an inch perfect flag kick to Chris Swailes whose goalbound header was directed out of the reach of Bees 'keeper Oli Gottskalksson by Jason Jarrett.

At that stage, woken from their torpor, the clever money was on the Shakers to surge on and secure the three points.

How wrong can you be.

After 62 minutes Partridge again found too much space in the Bury box and wriggled free of the defence to set up Tony Folan who cracked a low drive past Kenny.

Steve Redmond was in action at both ends of the field within three minutes when he drove a powerful drive wide from 20 yards then was dispossessed by Bees striker Lloyd Owusu who was only halted from adding a third by a superb timely tackle by Chris Swailes.

Yet it was the Shakers who continued to take the game to the home side.

Twenty minutes from time Jarrett sent Jon Newby clear on a one-on-one with Gottskalksson but the big Icelandic shot stopper managed to block for a corner.

It was a missed opportunity that was to prove costly after 81 minutes when Brentford did get a third.

Again, the busy Partridge had a hand in the goal when he was upended by midfielder Chris Billy during a dangerous left wing raid.

Folan took the resulting free kick and Ivar Ingimarsson glanced a neat header past Kenny.

The big Icelandic international defender almost notched at the other end when the lively Newby's cross evaded Lutel James and hit the Brentford man but his countryman in goal was alert to the danger.

With two minutes remaining the introduction of long time injury victim Matt Barrass into the fray was met with huge cheers from the sizeable - and noisy - Shakers following.

It was a welcome bright spot in an otherwise forgettable afternoon.

"Individual decisions cost us," said Bury boss Andy Preece. "Every time we attacked we looked dangerous yet they very rarely troubled us.

"But we should be defending better than we did. We aren't being outplayed, there are certain things we need to work on but we aren't far off being a team that will be challenging next season."

BURY FORMGUIDE: Kenny 7, C. Swailes 7, Redmond 6 (Forrest, 83), Nelson 7, Billy 7 (Barrass, 88), Daws 8, Jarrett 7, Reid 7, Armstrong 8, James 6, Newby 7. Subs not used: Halford, Connell & Buggie.

Attendance: 4,596

Referee: Mr P. Danson (Leicester)

Shakers boss praises team spirit SHAKERS boss Andy Preece reckons no club can match the camaraderie and team spirit he, his Bury players and staff have at Gigg Lane.

Speaking after Saturday's 3-1 end of season defeat at Brentford and before boarding the coach for an end of season night out in London the Bury manager said that was the crucial factor in avoiding the dropzone midway through the campaign.

"It was togetherness kept us from sliding into a relegation situation," Preece declared. "One of the things we've tried to instill more of in the squad is a great spirit and it's worked very well for us.

"I told the lads that wherever they have been or wherever the may go they won't get a better atmosphere at a club as we have here.

"They are a really close bunch and I told them it's something they should remember and hold onto."

With the club's ownership situation still in the balance Preece is becoming increasingly frustrated as he has to put any plans for next season on hold.

Without knowing what kind of a budget he can work to - or even if he'll be in charge next term - he is unable to give his players any indication whatsoever of whether their future lies at Gigg Lane or not.

"At this minute we are all in the dark so it's hard for the players to be in an upbeat mood," he added.

"Players don't know if they are going to be offered terms or released and it's going to be a difficult summer for them if it carries on much longer.

"Hopefully something will be sorted out soon because I don't like sending the players away not knowing what's going on.

"They have all worked hard for me over the last 18 months and this could be the last time we are all together."