FULL TIME: Portsmouth 2 Bury 0 (From Bury Times)

FULL TIME: Portsmouth 2 Bury 0

4:57pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport By Craig Nelson

BURY’S survival hopes were effectively downed on the south coast after a 15-minute second-half salvo from David Connolly saw them sink to the bottom of League One.

The veteran Republic of Ireland striker showed real class with both his finishes, in stark contrast to the lack of composure shown by the Shakers after dominating a fruitless first half.

Connolly’s 50th-minute opener followed a mix-up between Carl Regan and Ashley Eastham on the right - Jed Wallace capitalising to send in a low centre that the unmarked Pompey forward gratefully tucked away.

Bury keeper Trevor Carson could then only palm away a Johnny Ertl shot and Connolly was there again to slot home the loose ball from close range with 25 minutes remaining.

It was a bitter pill for the 366 travelling Bury fans to swallow after watching their side dominate the opening 45 minutes, only for loose finishing to cost them a vital opener.

Craig Fagan wasted the best chance in the 12th minute, blazing over after controlling well on the centre spot.

Steven Schumacher, Zac Thompson, Mark Carrington and David Worrall also wasted half-chances and Kevin Blackwell’s side were made to pay.

Portsmouth leapfrogged them to move off the foot of the table, while Bury were left eight points adrift of safety and facing an unlikely rescue mission in their final 10 matches to avoid relegation.