Mansfield Town 0 - 1 Bury: Shakers back on track

Bury's promotion push got back on track as a Ryan Tafazolli own goal proved enough for a slender 1-0 win at struggling Mansfield.

The Shakers were surprisingly beaten by Oxford last weekend but moved up to fifth in the table thanks to Tafaozolli's contribution at the wrong end.

It was a first home defeat in six games for the Stags in a tight game with few chances.

There had been little to choose between the sides until Bury grabbed a 21st-minute lead. Chris Hussey arrowed a free-kick from the left through everyone and the ball somehow seemed to find its way inside the far post off defender Tafazolli.

Impressive debutant Tom Eaves thought he had made it 2-0 as he volleyed home at the far post from a floated ball in from the right by Nicky Adams, but an offside flag was raised.

Adams also fired inches wide in stoppage time.

Mansfield rarely troubled keeper Nick Pope in the first half and Junior Brown's 25-yard shot was straight at him.

But Pope did have to tip a 30-yard Jack Thomas effort over at the last minute just before the half-time whistle as it bounced before it reached him and reared up.

Mansfield then almost levelled in the second period but Pope did well to block Reggie Lambe's low six-yard finish with his legs following a clever Vadaine Oliver back-heel.

Lenny Pidgeley had to turn away an Adams shot from 25 yards in the closing stages and Bury then expertly saw off late pressure from the home side to hold on to what they had.