IT proved to be a tough weekend for Bury Men's first and second teams as they both fell to costly defeats against Didsbury Northern.

The first team dropped out of the promotion frame in Division Three North of the North West Hockey League after losing 3-2 at Didsbury's third team.

Adam Friend opened the scoring for Bury, following up after his initial shot rebounded off the post.

But the home side hit back with two quick-fire goals to take the lead, only for Friend to net once again to equalise before the break, touching home Mattie Birch’s driven pass.

The visitors created more clearcut chances in the second half but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping and Didsbury took advantage to grab a winner from a short corner.

Friend was inches away from a hat trick as his drag flick crashed against a post, but defeat left Bury in fourth, two points behind second-placed Carlisle in the play-off spot with four games of the season remaining.

The Bury second string are staring relegation from Division Five North South squarely in the face after going down 3-1 at home to Didsbury's sixth team.

Rob Fogwill opened the scoring in the first half, expertly taking down Pater Wragg's aerial pass before picking his spot,

But Bury conceded from a quick counter attack 10 minutes before half time and fell behind second from a short corner midway through the second half.

And as they pushed for an equaliser Didsbury added a third on the break.

Bury occupy the second relegation place, two points behind third-bottom Prescot with four games to play. Their next two fixtures are at fourth-bottom Bolton on Saturday and at home to Prescot the following week.