By Michael Henson

AN injury to midfield lynchpin Kelvin Etuhu took the gloss off a good night's work at Moss Rose last night, according to Bury manager David Flitcroft.

The Shakers kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory over non-league Macclesfield after new striker Leon Clarke opened his account for the club.

But that was overshadowed somewhat after holding midfielder Etuhu pulled up with a hamstring injury in the warm-up and was unable to take part.

Flitcroft admits it is a concern with the start of the new season just over two weeks away.

“Some phases were okay, but these games are all about trying to come through them unscathed," said Flitcroft.

"One disappointing factor from tonight was that Kelvin (Etuhu) got injured in the warm-up.

“He just felt tight in his hamstring area so I’m disappointed with that and I need to find out what that is tomorrow, hopefully it’s more neural than hamstring.”

While Etuhu was notable by his absence the 156 Shakers fans who made the short trip to Moss Rose were treated to a first look at summer signings Christian Walton, Peter Clarke, Danny Pugh, Leon Clarke and Tom Pope, who all started the game.

Former Bury players Chris Holroyd and goalkeeper Ritchie Branagan lined up in the Silkmen’s starting XI, and the latter was called into action early on in the game, saving down low to deny Danny Mayor.

On-loan Brighton goalkeeper Walton, who joined for the season on Tuesday, showed positive signs in the first half as he commanded his area well and pulled off a fantastic save to deny Danny Whitehead.

The only goal of the game came in the 39th minute when Clarke easily outmuscled Tony Diagne off the ball before calmly slotting past Branagan for his first goal in Bury colours.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, with Macclesfield coming closest to scoring the second goal of the game but captain Paul Turnbull fired wide from close range.

Flitcroft made a number of changes during the second 45 minutes, including bringing on 17-year-old Matty Foulds and the Bury boss signalled the Bradford-born defender for special praise after the game.

“I was very pleased with the performance of the youngsters tonight, certainly Matty Foulds," he added. "He looked absolutely elegant at the back and read the game superbly, I was delighted with Fouldsy’s performance.”

Flitcroft also took a look at trialist Reece Brown, who played the last 30 minutes at right-back.

The 23-year-old former Manchester United trainee, and brother of ex-Red Devil Wes Brown, was given a chance to shine after being released by Barnsley in the summer.

Next up for Bury in their pre-season campaign is a trip to the Globe Arena on Friday evening to take on Morecambe (7.30pm kick off) before another away trip the following day to Stainton Park for a friendly against non-league neighbours Radcliffe Borough (3pm kick off).