Such a narrow win for the Latics from a tight, closely-fought game was the result of some resolute Bury defending, less then clinical finishing and then, in the second half, a deft finish from Ian Kilford, turning in Scottish forward Andy Liddell's right-wing cross to conclude a stinging counter attack from the home side after 61 minutes. Kilford instigated the move from the centre of midfield, a perfectly-balanced Liddell skipped past Redmond on the edge of the box before laying an inviting pass into the path of Kilford who swept home from barely ten yards out.

"Latics went ahead with a goal of some quality"

Indeed the move leading to the only goal of the game epitomised the difference between the two sides on the day - Wigan's flashing, pacy approach eventually gaining the upper hand over the visitor's slow constructive play which produced so little, even when one goal was all that was required. It only really took the home side one decisive move to finish off the Shakers' challenge this afternoon, such is their current form in front of goal.

However Bury did get at least two quality efforts in on goal, but on both occasions they were foiled by some brilliant reflex saves from Latics goalkeeper Roy Carroll. It was Adrian Littlejohn who spurned Bury's first and best opportunity - there was immense pressure on him to convert as the home defence opened up in front of him after just five minutes. A superb, incisive Andy Preece through ball found the pacy forward after good work by Dean Barrick in midfield, but Littlejohn could not add to his disappointing tally of two goals this season, shooting tamely straight at Roy Carroll who admittedly still had to make the save.

"going forward the Shakers were laboured and uninspired "

Then in the second half, defender Sam Collins powered a diving header towards goal from close range after a Paul Reid free kick picked him out in the penalty area. But Carroll again beat the ball away with a sprawling, full length save. Perhaps the Northern Ireland international was proving his worth in light of the visit of the Second Division's other top stopper - the Shakers' Kenny also impressing with a top corner denial of Kilford in the first half.

The Shakers' best chance though fell to the manager, Andy Preece, whose diving header at the back post beat Carroll and the onrushing Bury players before narrowly missing the far upright. Roberto Martinez went even closer at the other end though with a low shot which just scraped the post.

Shakers Team: Patrick Kenny, Chris Swailes, Steve Redmond*, Sam Collins, Lee Unsworth, Chris Billy, Paul Reid**, Nick Daws, Dean Barrick, Adrian Littlejohn, Andy Preece.