Bury dominated proceedings in the second half of Saturday's top of the table tie with Burton Albion, leading to a 3-1 victory. The home contingent were rocking at the formerly known Gigg Lane as Daniel Nardiello bagged a brace either side of a Ryan Lowe strike. Jacob Blyth gave the travelling Burton fans something to cheer, but it was merely a consolation in a game that sees The Shakers climb to the summit of League 2 and consign The Brewers to a second successive league loss.

After a midweek win against Stevenage, Bury started unchanged with dangermen Craig Jones and Ryan Lowe both looking to score for a third successive game. Burton however made three changes after their first league loss during the week away at AFC Wimbledon. Alex MacDonald & Lucas Akins both failed late fitness tests meaning Callum McFadzean and Marcus Harness filled in for the wide positions. Jacob Blyth was dropped from the team that lost during the week with Matthew Palmer coming in to sure up a 5 man midfield to stifle the attacking prowess of the home opposition.

Burton made the quicker start with Robbie Weir miscuing a shot wide, with shots off target a common theme throughout the first 45 minutes. Bury's first opportunity came from a Nicky Adams corner in which Pablo Mills ended up heading a chance well over the bar. The Shakers enjoyed some early possession as both teams eased their way through the first quarter. Whilst Bury had the majority of possession they were struggling to break down a resolute Burton defence, who in turn were feeding off breaks that were mainly resulting in shots from distance. A cagey affair was seeing either side cancel each other out, although Tom Soares miscued a great opportunity for Bury to take the lead. As the first half rolled on, some niggling fouls crept into the game and Burton's Harness was the first to go into referee George Eltringham's notebook, with a caution for tugging back.

Further off target attempts were traded by Burton's Weir and Bury's Adams but defences were on top and chances were limited, in the main, to distance. Bury continued to dominate possession as the half drew to a close and Craig Jones probably had the best opening of the game, as he found himself in the box and firing a shot across the face of goal, but unfortunately for Bury wide of the far post. After 2 minutes of added time and with one shot on target (Burton), the first half predictably ended with neither team able to open the scoring.

David Flitcroft made his first substitution at the break with Daniel Nardiello returning to replace the quiet Danny Rose, who struggled up against Burton's deep and compact defence. It was to be an inspired decision as within 3 minutes Nardiello had put The Shakers one up. Bury had already started brightly at the start of the second half with Nicky Adams threatening twice, only for Burton keeper Jon McLaughlin to cut out both crosses. Then in the 48th minute Danny Mayor waltzed towards the box, slipped a pass into Nardiello who slotted past McLaughlin to give The Shakers the lead.

The confidence grew in the Bury team as they had finally broken down a stubborn Burton defensive unit, and as the game opened up Ryan Lowe had a shot blocked which could have put Bury two up so soon after their first. A second name went into the referee's notebook as Burton's George Taft was booked for a late tackle on Bury's Nathan Cameron. Two bookings for Burton and then two goals for Bury, as Ryan Lowe added his name to the scoresheet for the third game in succession, poking a simple chance into the net with only the keeper to beat.

Gary Rowett looked for an immediate change to sway the tie in Burton's favour and made a double substitution. Jacob Blyth and Dominic Knowles replacing the booked Harness and Callum McFadzean. It was almost as inspired as Flitcroft's change at half time, as Blyth within minutes of coming on delivered a cross that deflected onto the head of Stuart Beavons who had a great chance to reduce the deficit, but headed over. It was to prove a costly miss as minutes later Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played a wayward backpass to his keeper in which Nardiello latched onto and placed into the back of the net to give The Shakers an unassailable three goal cushion.

Bury had blown away Burton in a devastating 25 minute spell, leaving the away team shellshocked and heading for a second 3-0 loss within a week. The Shakers were oozing with confidence as Duane Holmes, a second half substitute for Kelvin Etuhu, had a shot blocked. Bury made their final change in the 76th minute as goalscorer Lowe departed for Andrew Tutte as Burton continued to add their names into the referee's notebook, Weir and Sharps collecting cautions for cynical challenges. Craig Jones was enjoying his afternoon as he continued the barrage on the Burton goal, with Holmes and Danny Mayor also shooting wide. Bury were now rampant and in the 81st minute Nardiello found himself an opportunity to secure a second half hat-trick but was denied with a smart save from McLaughlin.

As the game drew to a close Burton managed to grab a late consolation as a Stuart Beavons cross found its way to an unmarked Blyth, who headed past Rob Lainton in the Bury net to make the score 3-1. Liam Slade became Burton's final substitution as Phil Edwards was replaced just before 6 minutes of injury time was announced. There was to be no miraculous stoppage time comeback from The Brewers as Bury could have finished them off further, only for Nardiello to be denied of his hat-trick again by the Burton keeper

After a fairly even opening 45 minutes Burton had been well beaten by the end of the ninety. Bury continuing their impressive and unbeaten league form since the opening day, and reaffirming why they are one of the promotion favourites with a resounding victory over another promotion hopeful. Burton Albion will be disappointed with their second half display, as they look on to midweek to restore some confidence with another chance for a Capital One scalp against Championship Brighton & Hove Albion at The Pirelli Stadium.

MANAGER REACTION:

Bury's David Flitcroft was purring after his team's performance and told BBC Radio Manchester;

"They're a fantastic group. The football display today was breathtaking, completely destructive at times."

Burton's Gary Rowett was disappointed with the goals conceded and told BBC Radio Derby;

"Two very, very poor goals to concede at any level just made the game go away from us at that point. Then for the last 20-25 minutes we actually rallied quite well to chase the game ok and scored a good goal through Blyth, but it was too little, too late."

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