A DOUBLE strike from captain Karen Nicholls fired Bury ladies' second team a step closer to the Division Three title at the weekend.

Leaders Bury won 2-1 at home to Didsbury Greys 3s on Saturday to strengthen their position in the Greater Manchester Women's Hockey Association.

Lowly Didsbury then did them a favour the following day, holding second-placed University of Salford to a 0-0 draw.

The results combined to extend Bury's lead at the top to four points.

Despite going a goal down to a Didsbury counter-attack midway through the first half, Bury still looked most likely to take the points.

However, they did need stand-in keeper Kate Howard to make two fine saves just before half time.

The second half saw Bury take a stranglehold on the game, as Nicholls led by example.

Shortly into the second period she fired home a short corner to level the scores.

And just 10 minutes later Nicholls struck again, coolly slotting home a penalty stroke having had an initial shot kicked off the goal-line by a Didsbury defender.

Bury now have two games left to seal the title. Salford have a game in hand so Bury's final game against Salford could be the title decider.

The ladies’ third team capped their improving form by gaining their first point of the season, drawing 0-0 with Eagley Tornados.

A determined display, with youngster Bronte Kelly being the stand-out performer, saw Claire Makin’s team earn a well-deserved point.

However, a Becky Nield goal was scant consolation for the ladies’ first team as they lost 6-1 at home to Didsbury Northern.

Bury failed to build on last week’s impressive fightback as Didsbury proved too much for the Castlebrook side, who must now close a four-point gap in order to achieve safety in Division One.

They face a tough run of games but their final match against bottom side Manchester Moss Park could save their season.

It was a disappointing weekend for Bury's men too as both their first and second teams lost in the North West Men's Hockey League.

The first team’s slim hopes of promotion from Division Three North were finally extinguished as they went down 2-1 at leaders Prescot.

Mattie Birch scored his first goal for Bury, but it was not enough as Prescot edged it, cementing their status as potential champions.

Bury have one game left and know this campaign has been a vast improvement on the last.

The second team were all-but condemned to relegation to Division Six as they slumped to a 6-0 defeat at home to Prescot.

Bury went into half time with just a 1-0 deficit but conceded five more after the break.