Match Report

Bury remain firmly in the automatic promotion race after cruising to a 3-0 win over lowly Macclesfield.

Top scorer Andy Bishop gave the Shakers a fourth minute lead with his 18th goal of the season before Glynn Hurst sealed victory with two goals in the second half, taking his recent tally to four in three.

That means that with two games left, Bury stay in fourth, a point behind second placed Exeter and level with Wycombe, who have a game in hand.

The Shakers made a superb start with an early opener from Bishop, who was left unmarked by Nat Brown to head home at the far post from Brian Barry-Murphy's right-wing corner.

Bury remained on top and almost doubled their lead following Mike Jones' left-wing cross.

Hurst kept the ball in at the far post and laid back for John Welsh, who turned the ball goalwards and Bishop diverted it narrowly wide from close range.

Macc replied with Gareth Evans chesting down a Lee Bell free-kick and testing Bury keeper Wayne Brown at his near post.

Bury looked to have sat back on their lead and were almost made to pay when Shaun Brisley headed goalwards from Bell's corner and Welsh had to be alert to clear the ball off the line.

Efe Sodje was inches from connecting with a Barry-Murphy free-kick just before the break but Macc remained a threat after the restart.

Colin Daniels cut inside Dave Buchanan and fired straight at Brown before Ahmed Deen, a half-time replacement for skipper Sean Hessey, tested Brown with a free-kick.

Bury eased their nerves though as Elliott Bennett's neat ball put Hurst one-on-one and the veteran striker took one touch before coolly side-footing past keeper Jon Brain.

Nat Brown then blocked Hurst's goalbound effort after sub Phil Jevons released Jones down the left.

But Hurst was not to be denied 15 minutes from time when he turned in Jevons' cut-back for his eighth of the season.

Macc's John Rooney saw a 20-yard strike saved late on while Bennett hit a post as Bury tried to boost their goal difference.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides