BURY made it three straight defeats in pre-season following last night's 1-0 loss at Macclesfield.

Scott Wilson scored the only goal of the game for the hosts on 78 minutes.

The forward fired in after the Shakers were caught out by a diagonal ball over the top.

Bury had fielded a strong starting lineup at the national league side that included a debut for returning striker Nicky Ajose.

But it was forgotten man Neil Danns who went closest, firing a stinging drive inches wide on the half hour.

Academy graduate Tsun Dai, fresh from signing a three-year pro deal, latched on to a through-ball by centre-back Tom Aldred five minutes later but was thwarted by ex-Shakers keeper Shwan Jalal.

Ajose then curled an effort close from 20 yards and loan striker Tom Heardman crashed a shot against the foot of the post after spinning sharply in the box.

Ex-Wigan academy player Chris Sang replaced Ajose on the hour as Lee Clark made a raft of subs and he was denied an opener by Jalal after running on to a clever pass slotted through a defender's legs by Greg Leigh.

Bury paid the price for failing to take their chances when Wilson's goal settled the encounter 12 minutes from time.

Joe Murphy also had to tip a cross shot on to the top of the net late in the game.

Team

First half: Murphy; Danns, O'Connell, Aldred, Cooney; Styles, Dai; Ismail, Ajose, Mayor; Heardman.

Second half: Murphy; Shotton, O'Connell, Aldred, Cooney; Danns, Styles, Dai, Mayor; Heardman, Ajose.

Second half subs: On – Sang, Lowe, Dawson, O'Shea and Reilly. Off – Heardman, Ajose, Styles, Danns and Aldred.