Blackwell still has edge over Beattie

THE MASTER got the better of the apprentice at Gigg Lane as Bury eased to victory over ten-man Accrington Stanley.

Stanley manager James Beattie played under Shakers boss Kevin Blackwell during his tenure at Sheffield United, and with both sides looking for their first win of the season it was Blackwell that came out the victor.

But Blackwell believes even better days will lay ahead after Anton Forrester, Jordan Sinnott and Marlon Jackson eased Bury to victory.

He said:“That was our worst performance and our best result.

“That was purely down to the fact that the players felt they deserved the result from the first couple of games, and because it hadn’t come there was a bit of apprehension.

“I said to the lads that when we get the ball down and move it about we look decent.

“It’s another game under our belt.We probably needed six to eight games in pre-season and we only had three.

“It is a learning curve and I’m really pleased with their application and attitude. That result has been well coming really.”

Bury came close to the most fortuitous of starts as Sinnott’s deep cross bounced back out off the bar with just 45 second gone.Will Hatfield hit the woodwork at the other end within minutes, striking a fierce shot against the post. Forrester went one better for Bury on 28 minutes, meeting Craig Jones’ excellent delivery to side-foot past Ian Dunbavin. Accrington’s afternoon got even worse just five minutes later, with striker Danny Webber rightly dismissed for a high, hard tackle that Shaun Beeley was lucky to escape uninjured.

Bury added a second before the break through Sinnott, who cleverly wrong-footed Robert Atkinson before powering in. There was a long stoppage midway through the second half as Nicky Hunt suffered a serious-looking knee injury.

The game had long been over when substitute Jackson scored his first goal for the Shakers on 87 minutes.

Accrington boss Beattie said:“I think we can take positives from the second half display. With ten men, I thought we were the better side.

“We played well for 20 minutes but then lost concentration and showed a bit of mental weakness to get sucked in to the way Bury wanted to play the game.

“They switched off for the two goals and with Danny getting sent off, it was an uphill battle.

“We got in at half time and there were a few choice words. It is my first time to the players but I believe in this squad.”