BURY 0 - ABERDEEN 1

BURY'S pre-season preparations took another step forward when Scottish giants Aberdeen made the trip to Gigg in a competitive friendly encounter.

A goal from former St Johnstone, Chelsea and Dundee ace Billy Dodds six minutes after the break separated the injury-hit Shakers from their Premier Division visitors, but it was by no means one-way traffic.

For periods new-look Bury gave as good as they got against quality opponents who included Bulgarian international Ilian Kiriakov, Mike Newell, Eoin Jess and summer signing Craig Hignett.

Shakers chief Neil Warnock used the game to run the rule over Bury-born former Manchester City full-back John Foster and he showed just why there are a host of clubs interested in his signature with a steady display.

In the first half it was the Shakers who looked more likely to break the deadlock with veteran Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton happy to foil efforts from Tony Ellis and block a fine chance that fell to Tony Rigby midway through the half.

For all their slick midfield play the Dons struggled to break down a resolute back line which included Steve Redmond, Chris Lucketti and Gordon Armstrong in a back three. The Dons' best opening followed a fine five-man move when former Coventry striker Eoin Jess saw a low shot blocked by the legs of Dean Kiely.

They weren't to wait long for the breakthrough though, for in the 51st minute an astute ball by Hignett caught out the Shakers defence and Dodds showed his undoubted class to calmly slot past the advancing Kiely just inside the post.

The visitors had started the second half in livelier mood and Kiely had earlier had to be on his toes to deal with powerful drives from Hignett and Andy Dow.

Just before the hour mark Warnock brought former Crystal Palace youngster Jason Harris into the fray and the trialist's pace and direct running down the left posed one or two problems for the Scots.

A drilled cross from the former Orient man shot across the face of goal, evading everyone, and from another of his crosses Ellis screwed a flicked header over the angle of bar and post.

As the Shakers pushed for a deserved leveller Andy Preece had a vicious left foot drive palmed away by Leighton and the keeper had to be quick off his line to deny substitute Tony Battersby who raced onto a Preece flick.

Overall, a promising display against quality opposition but on this performance at least, it would appear that it's last season's goalscoring problem and lack of a cutting edge that the new boss will need to address before August 8.

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