Bury’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with defeat away to Lower Breck. Finding themselves 4-1 down the Shakers attempted a late comeback but it was too little too late. The ten-man visitors ultimately losing 4-3 at a ground Bury have only ever lost at.

There was one enforced change in the Bury line-up with the suspended Bebeto Gomes replaced by Sam Coughlan.

Bury started the match brightly. Alex Cherera set up Coughlan who shot just wide of the far post. This was followed by a mazy run and shot by Rustam Stepans palmed away by keeper Theo Roberts and from the subsequent corner DJ Pedro headed against the bar and the ball was cleared off the line.

Despite this, the hosts took the lead. A long ball was sent to the Bury box and goalkeeper Mitch Allen came out to collect. Leaping to catch the ball he collided with the onrushing Tom Croughan. What looked to be a foul on the Bury keeper was not called back by the referee. With Allen down Croughan could not believe his luck passed into the empty net for a controversial lead.

Bury quickly made amends. A quick passing move allowed Cherera to lay the ball off to Pedro who lobbed the onrushing Roberts for a lovely finish.

Though the Shakers had claimed an equaliser it became clear they were second best in the first half. Former Bury man Sam Burns shot just wide of goal while Allen was called upon to make a great save from a tight angle to keep Lower Breck out. From the resulting corner however Breck reclaimed the lead. A packed box couldn’t clear away the initial set piece and the loose ball fell to Elliot Hughes who hooked the ball into the net.

Chasing another equaliser Stepans played in Cherera who shot on goal. His effort was deflected by Roberts and Pedro couldn’t make firm contact to the rebound.

Straight up the other end Hughes again on the attack hit the post and followed up on the rebound to score Breck’s third. Hughes could have completed a first half hat-trick. His fierce shot barely clearing the Bury crossbar.

While the first goal was the cause of some outrage in reality Bury had been poor. Possession had eluded them, they were wasteful when they had the ball and were too slow in attack and too weak in defence. Changes at the break were needed. The formation was changed to 3-5-2. Both full-backs, Coughlan and Connor Pye, were replaced by Gaz Peet and forward Ruben Jerome.

The Shakers played with renewed vigour. A corner lead to a flying volley from Lewis Earl that was well saved by Roberts. Following this, a breakdown in communication in the Breck defence nearly allowed Pedro in to score his second but the ball ran out of play.

Bury toiled but knew this high-energy effort could not last forever. It also left them open to counter-attack. One such counter saw Allen rush out to clear a long ball. He missed it entirely and Burns was left with a goal without a keeper in front of it but his shot was cleared off the line by Cam Fogerty.

The push to claim a goal back continued but with every passing minute the comeback became harder. Stepans, Hockenhull and substitute Bryan Ly all had chances but couldn’t make the most of them. Then the match was put firmly beyond the visitors. A diagonal ball was sent upfield. Lewis Earl just missed the interception and this allowed Connor Millington to shimmy his way to a shot on goal that found its way past Allen, 4-1 and seemingly game over.

Pat Jarrett only just on as a substitute received the ball from a short free-kick. Shooting from the edge of the box his effort sailed over Roberts and crashed into the goal off the bar. Bury’s long-awaited second goal had finally arrived but with little time left.

The goal did spur Bury on. Cherera had a point-blank shot saved and a Stepans free-kick nearly found the bottom corner but for a good save by Roberts.

With two minutes remaining a Gaz Peet cross found Ly, his header was blocked but the rebound was finished off by Cherera. Bury were only a goal behind with stoppage time still to play.

The visitors couldn’t fashion another chance and into stoppage time with emotions running high frustration boiled over and Bobby Carroll reacted to a push by an opposing player by knocking him down in front of the referee. The red card was duly shown.

Time ran out in the match and Bury’s unbeaten league run ended. While in the attack Bury can always find goals keeping an attacking side like Lower Breck at bay was too much for the defence to withstand. Bury will hope to start a new unbeaten run away at Burscough next Saturday.