Promotion-chasing Darlington ended Bury's three-game unbeaten run under new boss Alan Knill with a 2-1 win at Gigg Lane.
They gave it a good go, but ultimately this was a step too far for the Shakers, who were always on the back foot after a fourth minute penalty from Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu.
Micky Cummins made it 2-0 in the second half before Efe Sodje's late consolation.
Bury could not have got off to a worse start. Recent signing Sodje did not exactly endear himself to the Gigg Lane fans on his home debut, giving away a penalty within four minutes after a clumsy challenge on Ricky Ravenhill.
Ndumbu-Nsungu made no mistake with the spot-kick, calmly side-footing his effort into the corner of the net.
And Darlington probably should have been further ahead before Bury even had a chance to get themselves going.
A very presentable chance fell to Kevin Gall on eight minutes but he could only manage to fire tamely at Darren Randolph.
But Bury became slightly more comfortable as the half wore on and could even consider themselves unlucky not to level the scores when Andy Bishop scuffed Nicky Adams' dangerous cross against the post.
A shaky spell either side of half-time almost allowed Darlo to put the game beyond doubt though. Three times chances fell to Gall but twice he was denied by Randolph and the other time he headed against the bar.
Bury tried to hit back, substitute Glynn Hurst firing into the side-netting, but there was never any doubt about the result and Cummins headed home from Gall's corner to confirm it.
The Shakers didn't give up despite that blow and scored a late consolation when Sodje headed home.