Bury 0 Bristol Rovers 1

WHEN, if ever, are they going to learn? That has to be the question after the Shakers, once again, slipped up against lowly opposition at home.

All the optimism generated by Saturday's victory over third placed AFC Bournemouth evaporated in the damp Gigg Lane air after a weary display against a gutsy, but limited, Bristol Rovers outfit.

Predictably unpredictable or unpredictably predictable, take your pick on how you rate the Shakers. Let's just say if a boxer had been put on the canvas by as many sucker punches as they have this season he'd probably have a cauliflower backside!

This knockout blow arrived after 64 minutes when Robert Quinn was allowed the time and space to drill a low shot past Glyn Garner after former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Graham Hyde and Kevin Street linked up well in a quick counter-attack.

Quinn's effort was the first worthwhile effort on goal either side mustered in an untidy encounter and the 163 Rovers fans behind Garner's goal seemed as shocked as anyone that their side had edged in front.

If they'd checked out Bury's home record since the start of the season they'd have been a little less surprised.

Far too many clubs in the lower half of the Third Division table are taking advantage of the profligate Shakers, whose form in front of their home fans is looking a serious threat to automatic promotion.

Amazingly, after another crop of results went their way, they held on to fourth position in the table at the head of the four-team play-off group.

But it's a cause of immense frustration to manager Andy Preece that his charges seem incapable of 'kicking on' to secure an automatic place, especially against struggling opponents.

"The players were warned before the game what they would be up against," said Preece. "Bristol hadn't been defeated in their previous three away matches, so they were never going to be pushovers.

"I said we'd have to work hard, show some hunger, be alert and make things happen, but we did none of those things, it's very disappointing."

But despite his players obvious shortcomings, the Bury boss reckoned the finger of blame for the defeat could also be pointed at himself.

"I blame myself for the performance," he said. "I could have made four or five changes after the Bournemouth game and kept things fresh, but I picked that team and must take responsibility for that."

Pick the team Preece might do,, but once the players cross that white line what goes on is all down to them and far too many put in displays that didn't belong in a team with promotion aspirations.

And neither can they point to a Bristol side that just sat back and soaked up everything the Shakers threw at them.

True enough, they got men behind the ball when Bury attacked, but they also looked to break quickly, albeit without creating any openings of note until the goal.

Up front, Colin Cramb looked a shadow of the player that scored the winner at the weekend and Preece replaced the Scotsman with newly-signed youngster David Nugent at half time.

But for all his and Jon Newby's tireless running there was little to show for their endeavours.

Indeed, it was only when Preece changed the formation and came off the bench himself did it look as though something might happen in the last third of the field.

The player-boss was unlucky not to make contact at the far post when Nugent flicked on a Terry Dunfield corner-kick, then minutes later Nugent was unlucky to see a 25-yard shot flash wide of the post.

The final chance fell to Newby whose first time effort from a Preece flick was destined for the corner of the goal until Rovers 'keeper Scott Howie dived to his left to smother.

"We didn't have the hunger to get in the box and test the 'keeper," added Preece.

"I said I wasn't 100 per cent happy after the Bournemouth game, but there was plenty more to upset me from the Bristol game.

"The players are well capable of winning these games. You just have to start questioning their desire.

"Promotion can be there for us, or do they want to be Third Division players for the rest of their careers."

BURY FC

Glyn Garner...7

Jamie Stuart...7

Danny Swailes...6

Michael Nelson...6

Lee Unsworth...6

Chris Billy...6

George Clegg...7

Steve Redmond...6

Colin Cramb...5

Terry Dunfield...5

Jon Newby...6

Subs: O'Shaughnessy (for Billy, 36) 6, Nugent (for Cramb, 45) 6; Preece (for Redmond, 69) 7. Not used: Connell and Woodthorpe.

Yellow cards: Billy (34)

BRISTOL ROVERS: Howie, Boxall, Barrett, Austin, Anderson, Carlisle, Hyde, Quinn, Street, Di Piedi (Tait, 68), Grazioli (Gilroy, 68). Subs not used: Clarke, Parker and Astafjevs.

Yellow card: Di Piedi (48); Hyde (72)

REFEREE: Mr E. Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)

ATT: 2,435 (163 Bristol Rovers)