Cardiff City 0 Bury 2

THIS was one occasion when Bury made a nonsense of the statistics to gain sweet revenge for a harrowing FA Cup defeat in November and chalk up their fourth double of the season.

Cardiff had the ball in the net twice, both disallowed, had three shots on target and forced eight corners.

The Shakers didn't manage a single corner, but hit the target twice to run out with all three points.

The Bluebirds were battling for their Second Division lives. Bury were safe, thanks to their 3-2 win over Blackpool two days earlier. And, Adrian Littlejohn's goals apart, this victory was largely due to the restoration of Bury's experienced, first-choice centre back partnership of Sam Collins and Chris Swailes.

Player-manager Andy Preece said: "Our work-rate in the second half was exceptional and Chris Swailes and Sam Collins were magnificent.

"I have been going on about standing up and being men and that's what they did today. That's the standard I want in every game from them.

"We came down a First Division side, but if you look at the players we have lost like Chris Lucketti, Dean Kiely and Andy Woodward, along with the injuries we have had to key players, I am sure people would have said we would struggle this season. "So it is no mean feat getting three points at Cardiff, who are fighting for their lives."

Preece experimented to no small degree, resting skipper Nick Daws and handing the captain's armband to his 21-year-old replacement, Martyn Forrest.

"It came as a surprise to me," said Forrest. "Just after the warm-up, Andy said to me 'You had better get changed quick, you're captain today'.

"I thought Chris Swailes would get the armband, so it was a great honour and it was a great boost to my confidence.

"Swaz and Sam were different class at the back and Cardiff never caused us a problem really.

"We have quite a young side, which is good for the future and if we can keep bringing good, young players through we will be pushing next season.

"For now, we want to finish as high as we can. With a couple more wins we could be right back up there."

Preece also had praise for the youngsters. Explaing his decision to make Forrest skipper, Preece said: "Martyn is a Bury lad. He enjoyed the responsibility and responded well."

Preece also handed a first start to young defender Nicky Hill and gave midfielder Lee Connell his first team baptism as a second half substitute. "I thought Hill, Forrest and Connell did really well," said Preece. "Hill came in against a good player in Jason Bowen. He got done a couple of times in the first half. His positioning wasn't quite right, but he got it right in the second half and I was delighted with him."

There was also rich praise for goalscorer Adrian Littlejohn, who took his tally to 10 for the season.

"We're starting to get the best out of Adrian Littlejohn," said Preece. "I have told him he shouldn't be playing at this level. He should be playing higher. That's up to him. But he was everywhere today and he's starting to score a few goals."

BURY: Kenny 7; Barrass 7, Collins 8, C Swailes 9, Hill 6; Bryan 6, Billy 6, Forrest 6; Avdiu 6, Preece 6, Littlejohn 8. Substitutes: Connell (for Avdiu, 71 mins), D Swailes (for Preece, 83), Bhutia (for Forrest, 87). Not used: Halford, Buggie.

Referee: Mr David Crick (Worcester Park, Surrey).

Attendance: 6,781.