Tyler James’ hat-trick against his former side alongside top scorer DJ Pedro’s early opener saw Bury win handsomely 4-0 against play-off bound Padiham and extend their winning run to 13 consecutive matches.

There were a few surprises in the Bury team. Reece Kendall returned to the squad but had to settle for a spot on the bench, Josh Gregory keeping his place in the starting eleven. Beside Kendall was Will Calligan, the attacking full-back making his first showing in the matchday squad since October. Up front, as expected, Rustam Stepans was absent following his late injury last week and was replaced by Connor Pye, while Bryan Ly was preferred to Lewis Byrne and made his first Bury start since January.

With so much riding on this match Bury started brilliantly. A Bryan Ly free-kick was headed goalwards by DJ Pedro but his effort was easily collected by Storks keeper Matt Hamnett. At the other end a Joel Melia cross was spilled by Bury keeper Mitch Allen who caught the ball at the second attempt. Allen made up for his near mistake by clearing the ball all the way up to Pedro who broke through the Padiham defence and scored well into the bottom corner to end his five-game goal drought.

Tyler James, making his first appearance against his former club since he left for Bury in January, made his first impact in the match. Claiming the ball in midfield he rode a couple of challenges, burst through the defence, and fired a shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Despite entering the match in some form, Padiham had no response to the ferocious Bury attack. Aaron Chalmers headed one chance over the bar and from a Pedro long throw Chalmers had another shot that seemed to be blocked by a hand but penalty appeals were waved away by the referee. Tyler James was in turn felled in the box minutes later but, again, the referee was not interested.

James was quickly back on his feet again and in position when Bebeto Gomes, free down the right-hand side sent in a cross that James volleyed towards goal. Hamnett got a hand to the shot but couldn’t prevent the Shakers doubling their lead.

The home side again had a penalty claim dismissed; this time Bryan Ly was hauled down by Hamnett after the goalkeeper spilled a lofted ball in the penalty area. The Shakers might have grabbed a third goal before half-time, Pedro laying the ball off to James but the Bury number 7 shot over the bar.

After the break, the hosts looked to put the match away while the visitors, keen to change things up, made four half-time substitutions. Jack Price, one of the new additions nearly gave away the third goal within seconds of the restart. A poor back pass was intercepted by Tyler James in the Padiham area, he laid the ball off to Bryan Ly who shot just over the bar.

Padiham’s let-off was not to last long however. Breaking down the right-wing Bebeto Gomes ran from deep inside his own half to the edge of the Padiham box, the swift counter-attack caught Padiham off guard and Tyler James had the freedom of Gigg Lane as Gomes squared him the ball for an easy finish.

Straight from the restart Gomes stole the ball away from Padiham and played the ball onto DJ Pedro. His cross into the box ricocheted between Padiham defenders and another handball shout was ignored as Padiham desperately cleared their lines.

Pedro came close to scoring a second goal of his own, James played the ball onto him and Pedro’s fierce effort flashed across the face of goal. Tyler James then nearly claimed his third goal, getting on the end of a Bryan Ly corner but James’ header was just over the crossbar.

Eventually, James did find the third goal to complete an excellent hat-trick. Will Calligan with his first action since coming on as a substitute sent a probing cross in from the left. The ball wasn’t cleared and fell to James to slam home his treble.

Not content with just taking home the match ball Tyler James nearly had a fourth goal moments later. Bebeto Gomes again the provider sent in a cross that James fired towards goal. Hamnett was able to get behind the ball and make a good save.

Even with the match over as a contest the Shakers carried on in search of their next goal. Cam Fogerty’s cross just needed a touch from someone to beat Hamnett while Nicky Adams set Calligan through to shoot but his effort cleared the bar.

The match was well won and sees Bury regain their three-point advantage at the top of the table.