BURY men's second team let neighbours Bolton thirds off the hook as they missed a host of chances in a 2-1 defeat at home to their rivals.

An inability to take their chances cost them dear as they fell to their eighth defeat of the season in Division Five North (South) of the North West Hockey League.

Bury started the game brightly, with Toby Carr-Brown and Rob Fogwill dominating the early midfield exchanges.

Chances came and went as Matt Cooke went close with two deflected efforts, Fogwill fried wide and Carr-Brown inexplicably hit the post with the goal at his mercy.

The half-time break did not suit the home side, as Bolton came out and scored two quick goals to shock the host.

Keeper Jonathan Howard produced a good reaction save early in the half, and was unlucky to see the ball come back off the post and roll across the face of goal, giving the Bolton forward an easy tap in.

Moments later, a freak goal doubled Bolton’s lead.

A long ball from the back found its way all too easily forward, but centre-back Rob Harmer was well positioned to make the tackle.

Unfortunately, a looping deflection off Harmer’s stick took the ball beyond Howard’s reach and into the net.

Bury responded well to the set-back, however, and pulled themselves back into the game as Cooke turned home Carr-Brown’s effort from close range to halve Bolton's advantage.

Despite further Bury pressure, however, they were unable to convert their chances and suffered a harsh defeat, leaving them second-bottom with just three games left before the Christmas break.