Swansea City 2 Bury 3 by Phil Thorp: BURY reclaimed the third automatic promotion place in Division Three but they made hard work of things against the section's bottom club.

A three-goal cushion at the interval became a single goal advantage with 13 minutes remaining but, despite coming under intense pressure, they somehow managed to hang on to earn a crucial victory.

Midfielder Chris Billy sickened the home fans with a goal inside the first 90 seconds, firing home a fierce left-foot volley from the edge of the box following a corner.

And, just before the half hour, the only thing Swansea's players could hear was the sound of their own fans booing as they conceded two goals in the space of a minute.

Firstly, a free kick from Billy found Michael Nelson, whose initial header came back off Danny Swailes. But the big defender made no mistake with his second attempt from six yards, lashing past Swans keeper Roger Freestone.

Then a misplaced pass by former Shaker Paul Reid was intercepted by Newby, the Bury skipper picked out Lawson superbly and he made no mistake with an easy chance from 12 yards.

It was a different home side that took to the field for the second half, no doubt smarting courtesy of an ear-bashing from manager Brian Flynn.

After 68 minutes Shakers keeper Glyn Garner could do nothing to keep out a close range header from Jason Smith - the first goal City had scored in 350 minutes of football.

It came as no surprise to see them grab a second when Garner made a total hash of a Reid free-kick and, again, Smith was on hand to hook the ball into the unguarded net.

In the end, and despite some fierce pressure from the Swans, a leveller proved too much of a hurdle and, when referee Rejer waved away penalty claims after a James Thomas shot appeared to be blocked by the arm of Nelson, the sighs of relief from the Bury bench were palpable.

Bury formguide: Garner 7, Swailes 7, Nelson 7, Unsworth 6, Billy 7, Lawson 7, Nugent 8, Clegg 8, Redmond 7, Dunfield 7, Newby 7. Subs: O'Shaugnessy (for Lawson 68); Preece (for Nugent 75). Not used: George, Whaley and Evans.

Attendance: 3,555

Referee: Mr Paul Rejer (Worcestershire)