Cheltenham 1 Bury 2: THIS well-deserved victory at Cheltenham went a long way to taking Graham Barrow's men to that elusive 50 point mark that should ensure Football League status next season.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, undefeated in eight games or one defeat in twelve, the new partnership of Barrow and first team coach Kelham O'Hanlon is paying handsome dividends on the field.

The Shakers carved out the better openings of the first 45 minutes.

Tom Kennedy got a sight of goal in the 21st minutes but his right-footed shot found the side-netting while last Tuesday nights' two goal hero, Gareth Seddon, flashed an effort across the face of goal.

Predictably, the home side opted for a shoot-on-sight policy and in the first 20 minutes Grant McCann and Martin Devaney (twice) tried their luck with wind-assisted efforts from distance.

Keeper Shane Higgs was regularly kicking the ball to the edge of the Bury penalty area and it was from one such clearance that the Robins gained a half-time advantage.

In the 27th minute Dave Flitcroft was booked for a challenge on McCann close to the Cheltenham penalty area.

Higgs launched the subsequent free kick deep into the Bury half where the flight of the ball caught out the defence allowing Devaney lashed home a fine angled drive past Garner.

But just when it looked as if it wasn't going to be Bury's day they levelled in the 74th minute thanks to a second goal in two games from the highly impressive Danny Swailes.

When Flitcroft's corner on the left cleared everyone in the box it looked like the danger was over for the home defence.

However, Nugent had other ideas and as the young striker chipped the ball back to the far post and Flitcroft ghosted into the box placing a cushioned header into the path of Swailes who made no mistake from close range.

It was then the turn of substitutes Harpal Singh and Chris Porter to cause problems for the Cheltenham defence as the latter reacted first to a cross from the former but his brave diving header just cleared the bar.

But, thankfully, the lanky striker wasn't to be denied and he superbly volleyed home the winner at the front post as he got on the receiving end of another dangerous Dave Challinor long throw-in.

BURY FORMGUIDE:

Garner 7, Barrass 8, Woodthorpe 7, Swailes 8, Duxbury 7,

Nugent 7 (Cartledge, 87), Flitcroft 7, Dunfield 6 (Singh, 60), Kennedy 7, Seddon 6 (Porter, 70), Challinor 8. Subs not used: Connell and Solly.

REFEREE: Mr Steve Tanner

ATTENDANCE: 3,435