LEON Barnett had a debut to forget as his own goal ensured Bury continued their 49-year wait for a home league victory against Oldham.

The centre-back, making his first start in place of the injured Nathan Cameron, put the ball past his own goalkeeper early in the first half.

Both sides had chances to stamp their mark on the game, but it was Oldham who clung on for their first win of the League One season.

Bury started as they left off on Tuesday night with a confident, attacking intent and came close to opening the scoring when Danny Mayor shot straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

But the visitors took the lead against the run of play in the seventh minute.

Paul Green whipped in a tantalising cross from the left and Barnett rose the highest but his attempted headed clearance flew in.

The Shakers responded well and the lively Mayor dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box following an unusual free-kick routine.

Oldham grew stronger in the latter parts of the first half and should have doubled their lead before the break.

Only a world-class save from Ben Williams kept out Lee Erwin – tipping the forward's shot onto the post, before the forward fired wide following a brilliant cut-back from Billy McKay.

Erwin then glanced a header across goal moments later but Bury made it to half time only one goal behind.

However, the Shakers were dealt a bitter blow when Kelvin Etuhu was forced off through injury, with Hallam Hope introduced as his replacement.

Oldham continued to turn the screw in the second half with Erwin and Green both coming close, but Williams was equal to everything thrown his way.

Zeli Ismail attempted to get the hosts back into the game with a fine run and shot on the hour mark but his effort was well saved by Connor Ripley.

From the resulting corner substitute Nicky Clark struck goalwards, but the goalkeeper was in the right place to make the save.

Mayor and Ismail continued to cause problems for the visiting defence, and it was the former who got to the byline to set up Clark three minutes from time but the striker scuffed his shot wide from six yards.

Bury continued to bombard the Oldham penalty area with crosses but the the visitors' back four, led by former Shakers defender Peter Clarke, clung on for a vital three points.