Flitcroft boosted by Bury spirit

Bury manager David Flitcroft felt the Shakers put in a performance worthy of a side second in the table as they beat Stevenage 2-1.

Adam Marriott gave the visitors a 10th-minute lead but Ryan Lowe swiftly equalised before Craig Jones claimed a 47th-minute winner to set up a top-of-the-table clash with League Two leaders Burton on Saturday. "Last Saturday's win at Carlisle was outstanding but this topped that," said Flitcroft. "A Graham Westley team tries to dominate you and bully you but they couldn't get near us. "We ran round them and over them, and we passed through them. Our precision and work rate was outstanding. It was pure dominance in every aspect of our play. "Danny Mayor was ripping it up down one wing and Craig Jones down the other, and Stevenage had to make an early substitution. "Plan A turned to plan B and they tried to match us up but you're not going to match this team up too easily. "They're good players who make good decisions and it was an outstanding performance. It was very important that the lads stuck together." Stevenage had caught Bury cold as Marriott fired past Rob Lainton at his near post. But the Shakers hit back within three minutes as Ryan Lowe curled in a 25-yard free-kick. Tom Soares was denied by visiting keeper Sam Beasant while Tom Conlon's goalbound effort was blocked by Nathan Cameron. Moments later Cameron saw a header superbly saved by Beasant before Chris Whelpdale's header was tested Lainton. Kelvin Etuhu then put Lowe through on goal, only for Beasant to make another fine save. But Bury took a deserved lead 70 seconds into the second half as a fine move down the left resulted in Danny Rose squaring for Jones to tap in. Charlie Lee's header kept Lainton alert while Whelpdale blazed wide but victory was secured when Stevenage substitute Ryan Johnson, who only came on in the 81st minute, was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. "It was never going to be easy," said Stevenage manager Westley. "We came here with a lot of youth and at times we looked youthful. "We lost our defensive shape out of eagerness and willingness to work hard. But that's what young players tend to do. "We were almost too keen to go and get a second goal when you wanted them to consolidate that lead and keep in control of the tempo of the game, not go chasing the ball, open themselves up and give away a silly free-kick that ends up in our net. "But we had chances in the second half and if one of those went in you'd say it was a gritty away performance. "Bury were one of the favourites pre-season because they signed a lot of experienced lads. The margin between defeat and victory was slight and when you're working with youngsters who are improving then you know you're going in the right direction."