NEVER can Shakers manager Alan Knill have had such a bad month in his managerial career as the one he has just endured with Bury.

The Gigg Lane boss has seen his side spectacularly fall from grace in the space of weeks to go from automatic promotion candidates to play-off hopefuls after a March return of just two points from a possible 15.

The damage had already been done on Saturday once Bury rallied and staged a stirring fightback that threatened to rescue a point from a game they gifted to Aldershot through their own shortfalls.

Andy Bishop might have scored from the spot late on but the shot-shy Shakers have now gone more than 800 minutes of action without scoring from open play.

They spurned numerous chances against the Shots, in particular Tom Elliott's candidate for miss of the season when he rounded the keeper and somehow managed to miss an open goal from four yards out.

Throw in two defensive mistakes at the other end, which the impressive Scott Donnelly took full advantage off to notch a brace, and it is easy to see why it was another miserable afternoon.

“You can't help thinking that if Tom had put that in in the first half it would have been a different game,” said Knill.

“Even though he is a young player learning his trade, the fact is he gets paid to put that into the back of the net.

“When people say that he was unlucky, they are wrong. It was a harsh lesson he has to learn from.

“We are clinging on at the moment and we have to change things around quickly.”

Bury showed a marked improvement on their recent displays as they pinned back the visitors and created chances at will in the opening throes.

Michael Jones saw a shot deflected wide before Ryan Cresswell had a header cleared off the line.

It looked only a matter of time before the hosts would go in front and break their duck in front of goal, but Elliott conspired to miss the simplest of chances.

The on-loan Leeds United teenager had done all the hard work when he latched on to a weak headed backpass and rounded the keeper, but the whole ground was left stunned when he found the side netting.

That took the wind out of Bury's sails, and they were dealt another blow after 28 minutes when Cresswell brought down Marvin Morgan and Donnelly confidently slotted home from the spot.

Aldershot should have doubled their lead early in the second half but an unmarked Marlon Jackson could only head straight at a grateful Wayne Brown.

But Kevin Dillon's men did not have to wait long to go 2-0 up as, in the 55th minute, Ben Futcher's attempted clearance landed at the feet of Donnelly who showed great technique to smash home from 20 yards into the bottom corner and leave Brown with no chance.

Knill summoned Andy Bishop and on-loan Manchester City winger James Poole from the bench and the move injected some real purpose into the home side's play.

Dawson, who covered every blade of grass in a losing cause, Bishop, Elliott and Tom Newey all went close before the home side finally pulled a goal back – only to see the linesman rule it out.

Bishop teed up Poole and the youngster instinctively smashed home but the former was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.

Bury finally got a way back into the game when skipper Dawson was sent tumbling by goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz and, despite appearing to be outside the area, a penalty was given and a red card shown.

Bishop stepped up to convert with ease and set-up a grandstand finish but, despite plenty of huff and puff, an equaliser was not forthcoming.

“We were a lot better than last week but it is all about winning and it doesn't matter about anything else,” reflected Knill.

“There is enough experience in our dressing room to know what it takes, because most of them have been there before.

“Now we have to step forward, and not wait for something to happen – because it won't.”

BURY: Brown 7, Scott 6 (Newey 6, 52), Futcher 6, Cresswell 6, Buchanan 7, Worrall 6, Dawson 7, Barry-Murphy 6, Jones 5 (Poole 6, 58), Parker 5 (Bishop 7, 58), Elliott 5. Subs not used: Hewson, Racchi, Morrell, Belford.

ALDERSHOT: Jaimez-Ruiz 6 (sent-off 84), Herd 7, Straker 6, Blackburn 7, Brown 6, Dean Morgan 6 (Spencer 7, 68), Harding 6, Donnelly 8, Bozanic 7 (Soares 7, 71), Jackson 7, Marvin Morgan 7 (Young 85). Subs not used: Hylton, Winfield, Howell, Hudson.

Attendance: 2,795 (201 Aldershot fans)

Referee: Mr Garry Sutton (Lincs)