Second placed Bury took on third-placed Lancaster and Morecambe in a six-goal thriller in Division Four North, without leading goal-scorer James Oakes.

Both teams started brightly, with Bury’s David Hodbod making the break through as he converted a short corner after 15 minutes to edge the home side in front.

However, Lancaster soon hit back as they equalised with a fierce reverse stick strike.

This was quickly followed by a second Lancaster goal from a powerful short corner; before a bad 10 minutes was completed as another reverse stick shot moved the visitors three-one in front. Bury, however, demonstrated why they are fighting at the top of the league as they mounted a stirring comeback before half time.

Moments before the break, Bury once again passed their way through the visitor’s backline, with Simon Major on hand to turn in Ben Cooper’s shot which had been parried by the Lancaster keeper.

Bury came out in the second half determined to find an equaliser and went close through Piers Smith-Hughes, who fired wide after an impressive passing move.

Bury deservedly drew themselves level through Hodbod’s second as he pounced on a loose ball following Luke Fidler’s driving run. The midfielder calmly slotted the ball home to ensure that Bury stayed seven points clear of Lancaster, in the second promotion place. The difficult games keep coming for Bury, as another derby match against Bolton sees the first team travel to Harper Green next weekend.