Battling through bitterly cold wind and rain Bury returned to winning ways beating Colne 4-0 at Gigg Lane.

The Shakers were without the suspended pair Bobby Carroll and Ben Hockenhull so handed starts to both of their new arrivals. Former Prestwich Heys man Aaron Chalmers lined up in defence alongside Lewis Earl while Nicky Adams making his return to Gigg Lane was immediately handed the captain’s armband and took his place in midfield.

After the disappointing midweek defeat at Litherland Bury made a quick start going on the attack straight from kick-off. Alex Cherera played the ball onto Rustam Stepans but his shot was blocked by a Colne defender.

The Shakers then had another early chance, Cam Fogerty stealing the ball away from a defender allowing a first-time Stepans shot that landed just wide of the Colne post.

The visitors had opportunities of their own Jude Entwistle forced a save from Mitch Allen and Rio McEvoy headed the resulting corner kick over the bar. From another corner, the ball got caught in the wind and seemed destined for the goal before Allen had to tip the ball over the bar.

Bury took the lead thanks to a slick passing move. Marshalled by Nicky Adams in a deep midfield position he directed the ball out to the left. A pass was sent forward to DJ Pedro who set Bryan Ly free to run through into open space and beat the keeper one-on-one.

There was nearly a quick second goal for the Shakers Bebeto Gomes on the right wing pulled the ball back to Adams who fired a shot well over the bar. The hosts would continue to test Henry Turner in the Colne goal with Bryan Ly and Connor Pye both firing from distance.

After half-time Bury quickly doubled their advantage. A corner kick was directed out to the far post, Lewis Earl was waiting to head back across goal and from inches out Aaron Chalmers forced the ball home for a goal on his debut. Colne players protested the goal but in too strong a terms for the officials. Both Jude Entwistle and Sam Holt were sin-binned for separate acts of dissent and Colne would have to survive ten minutes with nine men.

With such an advantage Bury knew they had to make good use of the time and did with another corner just two minutes later. While the Colne defence would block the first two shots on goal they were outnumbered in their own box and DJ Pedro poked home the Shakers third goal of the afternoon.

There was nearly a fourth goal soon afterwards, Alex Cherera saw his shot tipped by Turner and fall towards the far post. On the line, Matthew Barnes hooked the ball away from danger and Colne returned to eleven men shortly afterwards.

Even back to full strength the visitors never again troubled a Bury defence that looked far more secure than they have in recent matches. Bury would then score a fourth goal to take the match well beyond the Reds.

Only just brought on as a substitute Sam Coughlan was in the right place at the right time to receive a cross from Stepans as he thumped home a finish that beat Turner.

Coughlan’s goal was Bury’s ninety-ninth of the campaign so far and still only in the first week of December the Shakers went in search of number one hundred. A Bryan Ly cross aimed towards Ruben Jerome was knocked out for a corner. The resulting set piece was sent into the box, Jerome flicked a header goalwards but it was again cleared off the line, this time by Entwistle, before substitute Alik Babayan attempted a lob that landed on the roof of the net.

Bury had a final chance in stoppage time, Bryan Ly cutting in from the left forced a good save from Turner. While the one-hundredth goal would have to wait the Shakers were happy to earn three points, a clean sheet and a chance at last to get out of the rain. With most of the other league fixtures being postponed Bury’s victory cuts the gap to top spot to just two points.