BURY captain Jim McNulty spoke about setting the juggernaut in motion after their first win of the season at Hartlepool in August.

A month and six unbeaten matches later, the Shakers juggernaut now looks to be hitting full speed following the fifth victory of their League Two campaign.

But it looked to have hit a brick wall after a spirited Stevenage side, who finished the game with 10 men, opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Adam Marriott.

Ryan Lowe put the home side back on course just three minutes later with a sublime free-kick and Craig Jones completed the U-turn two minutes after the break.

Another three points added extra significance to Saturday’s encounter at home to league leaders Burton, as Bury moved into second place and closed the gap at the top to just two points.

The chance to claim top spot at the weekend looked a long way off, however, after the visitors pounced on an early mistake from centre-back Pablo Mills.

Marriott robbed him on the right touchline to gain a free run into the box before beating Shakers stopper Rob Lainton at the near post.

Lowe thumped home an immediate response though, curling a blistering 25-yard free kick into the top corner for his second goal in as many games.

Bury should have gone into the break at least two goals to the good, but found Stevenage keeper Sam Beasant – son of former England and Wimbledon stopper Dave Beasant – in inspired form.

He palmed away a Tom Soares strike after the midfielder had broken into the box before tipping behind a Nathan Cameron header.

Cameron had to be on his toes at the opposite end to block a Tom Conlon effort after good break from Chris Beardsley.

But it was Beasant again who had the final word of the half, standing up well to deny Lowe after the goalscorer latched on to a superb through ball from Kelvin Etuhu.

Once Bury got their noses in front, however, there was no stopping them.

Jones showed real purpose to storm into the box and finish off Danny Rose’s perfect centre from close range.

Beasant again denied them the chance to seal the match earlier, however, pulling off an instinctive save tip over a Mills volley from six yards out.

But it was all over once Stevenage substitute Ryan Johnson was sent off in the third minute of injury time for his second yellow card, only 13 minutes after coming on.