BURY demonstrated what could yet prove to be their biggest strength – their strength in depth – after battling back to the top of League Two with victory over a spirited Tranmere side.

Manager David Flitcroft delved into his reserves to help his side bounce back from defeat at Exeter the previous weekend, which saw them knocked off their perch after spending only a week at the division’s summit.

And the Shakers’ unsung heroes played a key role in seeing off Rob Edwards’ Merseysiders, who are fighting for their lives at the opposite end of the table.

Kelvin Etuhu for once grabbed the headlines after stepping out of the shadows of his holding role to put Bury ahead with a stunning 55th-minute strike – his first for the club.

And experienced striker Danny Nardiello came off the bench to settle any nerves with a precision header from fellow substitute Chris Hussey’s inswinging corner two minutes from time.

The result could have been very different, but for Shwan Jalal’s late intervention, diving full-length to palm away a Jason Koumas strike that was heading into the bottom corner.

Jalal was one of three changes to the team that lost at Exeter, reinstated for only his second league start since completing a summer move from Bournemouth.

Andrew Tutte was also brought back into the fold in place of the suspended Danny Mayor, while Chris Sedgwick came on for only his third appearance of the season late in the game.

“A special mention for the lads who have been waiting in the wings – your Sedgys (Chris Sedgwick), Huss (Chris Hussey), Tutte and Shwan,” said Flitcroft.

“They have all come in, which is hard sometimes when a team is winning.

“Every time we have won a game they have celebrated with us.

“So that win has been for the players who have waited patiently in the wings to support this group - that is what a good group is about.”

The Bury boss held up the performance of Jalal as a shining example for any players that find themselves out of the first-team picture.

Brought in from Bournemouth in the summer as his number one, Jalal was injured at Bolton in the Capital One Cup – Bury’s second game of the season – and lost his place to Rob Lainton.

But the 31-year-old answered the call after Lainton’s late mistake at Exeter cost the Shakers a point.

And other than a slip when making a first-half clearance, the Iraq-born stopper did not put a foot wrong.

“It was the right opportunity to put him in,” explained Flitcroft.

“I didn’t want Rob ruminating on the errors down at Exeter.

“Rob has done fantastic this season from being left out in the cold a little bit last season and going out on loan (to Burton).

“But I just felt that for Shwan to come in would give everyone hope that there is nobody in this squad of players that doesn’t deserve a right to be in the team, and also make it known that you have got to be on your A game to stay in the team and keep earning a place.

“Shwan has come in and had a nice steady performance, which is good. I am delighted to have two good keepers and competition for places, so we are in a good spot.”

Bury took maximum advantage of slip-ups from leaders Burton and second-placed Wycombe to soar back to the summit.

But the 4,500 fans inside the JD Stadium were treated to a tight encounter that the Shakers dominated in terms of possession and chances, but were never quite able to put to bed.

Tom Soares rattled a powerful shot just over in the first half before Nicky Adams forced Tranmere stopper Owen Fon Williams into a low save to keep out his volley.

The game opened up after Etuhu’s strike, which he side-footed through a sea of bodies after the ball had broken to him on the edge of the box following an Adams corner.

That forced the visitors to come out more but Bury were rarely troubled before Koumas was denied a shock leveller at the death.

Nardiello put the result beyond doubt a minute later to ensure the JD outfit were able to honour former president Fred Mason with all three points.

Both sets of fans had earlier performed a touching tribute to the life-long Shakers fan, who died last week aged 73, with a standing ovation before the game and on 73 minutes.

BURY: Jalal 7; Cameron 8, Mills 8, McNulty 8; Jones 7, Tutte 7 (Hussey 7 69), Etuhu 9, Soares 8; Adams 7; Lowe 7 (Sedgwick 6 78), Rose 7 (Nardiello 7 61). Not used: Lainton, Thompson, Platt.

TRANMERE: Fon Williams; Holmes, Ihiekwe, Donacien, Davies; Power, Gill (Koumas 73), Bell-Baggie (Richards 81), Laird; Donnelly (Kirby 73), Odejayi. Not used: Holness, Rowe, Gumbs, Brezovan.

Goals: Bury 2 (Etuhu 55, Nardiello 88) Tranmere 0.

Yellow cards: Bury – Soares 58. Tranmere – Donnelly 37, Gill 49.

Referee: Andy Haines.

Attendance: 4,481 (866 visiting).

Star man: Kelvin Etuhu – The big midfielder deserved recognition for his goal alone, a collector’s item in more ways than one. Etuhu’s first for the club and only the fifth of his career was right out of the top draw. His manager joked that he had shinned it, but the reality could not have been more different as the enforcer showed great composure and precision to side-foot the ball through a crowd of bodies. But the former Manchester City trainee, who plays a pivotal role protecting the back three, breaking up play while also providing the launch pad for attacks, said after the game that he was equally happy with the clean sheet – the true sign of a team player.