SHAKERS MOVE BACK ON TOP
HAVE SOME OF THAT: Forward Daniel Nardiello scores Bury’s second
BURY manager David Flitcroft admitted he wasn’t fussed about his side losing if they were going to bounce back in style as they did against Tranmere, a victory sending back to the top of the league.
Second half goals from Kelvin Etuhu and Danny Nardiello secured the three points for the Shakers and Flitcroft said he was delighted with the way the squad reacted following the defeat to Exeter last time out.
“It’s how you bounce back from a defeat that matters, I weren’t too bothered about the defeat last week as the performance was pretty good,” said a thrilled Flitcroft.
“They’ve really wanted to win today and go back to the top of the league so I’m delighted with the squad and my staff as we’ve worked hard this week to get that result.
“I’m just delighted with the points and the clean sheet has really pleased me.
“Shwan Jalal had one save to make today and it was a good one.
“Jason Koumas has got it onto his left foot and he’s alive to it and tipped it around the post.
“In the good moments you’re asking your players to step up and he really did today.”
Tranmere started out as the better side and created a chance inside five minutes but Abdulai Baggie was unable to direct his header towards goal at the back post.
Rovers thought they should have had a penalty midway through the first half but Andy Haines waved away appeals after Baggie tangled with Andrew Tutte in the area.
The turning point of the game occurred in the 55th minute when a Bury corner was half cleared to Kelvin Etuhu on the edge of the area and he placed a shot in the bottom corner to give the Shakers the advantage.
Rovers chance to equalise came in the 86th minute when Jason Koumas found himself free on the edge of the area, only to be denied by a strong hand from Shwan Jalal before the three points were secured a minute later.
Chris Hussey swung a corner to the near post and Danny Nardiello beat his man to the ball for his fourth goal of the season to send Bury back to the summit of League Two.
Tranmere boss Rob Edwards thought his side had given their all in their game but was ultimately frustrated with their quality at both ends of the field.
“The players have given everything for the club today, I couldn’t have asked of anymore of them,” said Edwards after the game.“If I was to be critical, we didn’t test their goalkeeper enough apart from when Jason Koumas forced him into a good save. We weren’t clinical enough in the box and we’ve lost again so I’m the most frustrated man in the ground.”
“There is a difference between the teams at the top of the league and the ones at the bottom and they’re more clinical. At the moment we’re doing okay in the midfield third but struggling at both ends.”