A brace from man of the moment DJ Pedro was the difference as Bury ran out 2-0 winners away to AFC Liverpool at Rossett Park in the early afternoon kickoff on Saturday.

There were two changes for the Shakers with Lewis Earl and Ruben Jerome returning to the starting line-up. It was Jerome’s first start since returning from injury and with the in-form Pedro sure to keep his place Dave McNabb started with two forwards for the first time this season.

The added firepower paid dividends almost immediately. In just the second minute a Stepans cross from the right found Pedro who confidently slammed home Bury’s opener.

The visitors looked to add a quick second goal, Bobby Carroll unchallenged ran through the centre and took a powerful shot knocked away by the keeper out for a corner.

Liverpool had chances of their own as they grew into the match. A dangerous cross from winger Caleb Jones had to be picked out by Shakers keeper Mitch Allen, while another Jones cross got through to forward Elliott Taylor but Bebeto Gomes was on hand to clear the chance away.

A Connor Pye cross was claimed well by the home keeper David Parkinson with an unmarked Ruben Jerome waiting. Parkinson would have to stay on top form blocking back-to-back shots from both Pye and Jerome as the Shakers searched for a second goal.

The one goal margin felt increasingly narrow as Taylor got in behind the Bury defence and forced a good save from Allen while Thomas Beckett shot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy just before the break.

There was little change after half-time with the hosts pushing hard for an equaliser. While AFC Liverpool enjoyed the early possession and put the Bury defence under a great deal of pressure no real chances emerged from their hard work. Gradually Bury began to make their mark on the match again. A Connor Pye cross was blocked and the deflection struck an arm but the referee waved away the penalty appeals while Cam Fogerty surged forward but had no chance to get a shot off.

Finally, Bury made the breakthrough. Pye again the creator got in behind the defence and lifted a cross from the byline to Pedro who was waiting to head home his second of the day and his fourth Bury goal in his fourth appearance.

AFC Liverpool pushed hard to find a way back into the match but it was too little, too late. Mitch Allen was seldom tested and the closest the home side came to scoring came from a late free kick. Caleb Jones firing a low hard shot on goal that was blocked by Gaz Peet.

Time expired giving the Shakers another crucial three points, enough to elevate them to second in the table.