DESPITE missing a number of key players, Bury men's first team climbed to third place in Division Three North with a 2-0 victory at Southport on Saturday, but there were defeats for both the men's second team and the ladies' firsts.

Bury, who were without first choice goalkeeper Jonathan Howard and top scorer James Oakes, put in a solid performance to get back to winning ways against bottom-of-the-table Southport.

In a goalless first half, the visitors dominated possession creating, and missing, several opportunities, whilst also stifling any attacking threat from the home side.

Stand-in keeper Rob Fogwill was a virtual spectator as the Bury defence of Tariq Sheikh, Ahtisham Khan, Jack Dixon and James Berry comfortably repelled the Southport attacks. And with Adam Friend, Simon Major and Sam Nicholson all going close it seemed inevitable that Bury would open the scoring.

A minute into the second half, Bury took the lead when the ball was delivered across the face of goal for the awaiting James Larmett to score his first goal of the season.

Southport's ill-discipline saw them reduced to 10 men for 10 minutes and Bury took a stranglehold on the game.

They doubled their lead in the final minute when a well-worked short corner was deflected in with a full-length diving finish from midfielder Sam Nicholson, as he continued his excellent early season goalscoring form.

With keeper Dan Taylor ruled out with a season-ending injury and several players called up for first team duty, Bury's second team were forced to reshuffle in a 4-2 defeat at home to South Manchester.

The visitors took an early two-goal lead but Bury eventually settled into their rhythm.

Siraj Raza was on hand to convert a short corner following Danny Quin’s initial effort as Bury got back into the game but a momentary lapse at the back from skipper Sameer Sheikh allowed South Manchester to almost instantly restore their two goal advantage before half time.

With Matt Cooke, Quin, Sheikh and Raza all going close it was inevitable that the hosts would pull themselves back into the game when Piers Smith-Hughes, on his return from injury, deftly deflected in Toby Carr-Brown’s pass at the far post.

However, another short corner conversion from the Manchester side restored their two-goal cushion, producing a somewhat harsh final score.

Both men’s teams face derby matches on Saturday, as they take on their respective teams from neighbouring Bolton.

The ladies’ first team had an instant chance to restore pride when a quirk of the fixture list put them up against last week’s opponents Stockport Bramhall again.

However, despite an improved performance the Ladies lost 3-0 top slip to their third successive defeat, leaving them fifth in the Greater Manchester Division One.

The Ladies have the chance to get their season back on track on Saturday when they face ninth-placed Oldham, who are without a win this season.