MATCH REPORT: Bury 0 Lancaster City 1

A single Steven Yawson strike was enough to see the Dollies take all three points from Gigg Lane.

Despite the Shakers hitting the woodwork on three separate occasions, Lancaster City held firm at the back.

Manager Jimmy Marshall made three changes to the XI that drew 2-2 with Quorn, as midfielder Alfie Cunningham made his debut after recently joining on loan from Southport. Dom Lawson and Steven Yawson also joined the forward line.

The Dollies began brightly, as Sam Bailey's deep free kick was headed back across the box by Yawson, where Lawson's close range header was promptly held by Bury goalkeeper Mitch Allen.

The start went from good to brilliant soon after, as the Dollies opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. Jim Craig threaded a lovely pass through to Yawson who showed brilliantly composure to round the Bury goalkeeper Mitch Allen and smash it into the empty net, sending the away end into ecstasy..

The home side almost responded through Mo Touray, who hit the post with the goal gaping at close range.

Fellow Shakers striker Djavan Pedro saw another big Bury chance go begging before the half was up, heading just over the crossbar after connecting with an inch perfect Kai Evans cross.

The second half began in a frantic manner, as Pedro again came within inches of equalising again, smashing the ball viciously against the top right corner of the post after making his way into the Dollies penalty area.

The Dollies responded with a dangerous attack of their own soon after, as Allen was called into action to forcibly put a close range effort from Lawson wide for a corner.

Changes were made throughout the second half by both teams, but Marshall introduced all five of his available substitutes, with Simon Grand, James Nolan, Charlie Bailey, James Bailey and perhaps most notably Dylan Thompson entering the fray at various stages, with the latter made his long awaited return from injury.

Former Lancaster man Owen Robinson was the next to come ever so close to levelling the scoring after racing in on goal at an angle, but he could only drag his effort narrowly wide.

As the game entered it's latter stages, it was all hands on deck for the Dollies as the home side began to throw everything at Lancaster.

Another powerful effort from Pedro came Kelly's way from the edge of the box, but the Dolly Blues number one had the final say, reacting brilliantly to push it against the post.

Bury kept knocking on the Dollies door but after five minutes of stoppage time came up on the board, Lancaster allowed nothing past their impressive backline.

The result is City's second win of the season and sends the Dollies up to 13th place in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Marshall's men play again on Friday night away at Guiseley.

Lancaster: Kelly, S.Bailey, Sanogo, B.Moonan, Oliver, D.Moonan (Thompson 77'), Cunningham (Nolan 83'), Craig, Lawson (J.Bailey 70'), Caine (C.Bailey 70'), Yawson (Grand 90+4')

Match report: Conor Philipson