BURY extended their winning run to three matches with a first home victory of the League One campaign.

A 78th-minute header from Shakers captain Nathan Cameron was enough to settle a tight encounter with Port Vale.

David Flitcroft’s in-form side had the upper hand in the first half as Valiants keeper Jak Alnwick made two great saves in quick succession in the opening 10 minutes to keep out strikes from Danny Mayor and Jacob Mellis.

Alnwick was also wise to the danger as Tom Soares fed Mellis with a ball in behind the Vale defence, with the keeper rushing out to charge down his attempted chip on 20 minutes.

But barrel-chested Port Vale striker Uche Ikpeazu was a handful for the Shakers' back-line, forcing Rob Lainton into a smart save at his near post just before the break.

In a second half of few chances, centre-back Peter Clarke made a brave diving block to deny Ikpeazu a free shot on goal from close range before Cameron headed home the winner.

The Shakers captain rose highest to power Chris Hussey’s corner past Alnwick, who got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

The three points move Bury up to sixth in the table, into the play-off places on goal difference.

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REACTION

Bury manager David Flitcroft: "It was probably an unforgettable game really, in many ways, but I look at what the team had to do in terms of the resolve.

"Chris Hussey was on point for every single set piece. I think his set-piece delivery was the best he has done in one game - his consistency was fantastic.

"We looked threatening (from set pieces) - the quality was supreme.

"And Cam (Nathan Cameron) - the captain and the leader - has gone up there and just looked super powered.

"I want him to score more goals. At times he has got a triangular head and it comes off the top of it, but it is something we are trying to improve and get goals from him so I am delighted.

"It's probably fitting it has been won on a set piece because the two teams probably cancelled each other out a little bit, but I am absolutely delighted with three points at home."

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RATINGS 

Bury (4-4-2): Lainton 8; Riley 8, P Clarke 9, Cameron 9, Hussey 9; Mellis 7 (Jones 7 51), Brown 6 (Pugh 6 77), Soares 7, Mayor 8; Pope 7 (Rose 6 65), L Clarke 8.

Subs: Ruddy, Hope, Pugh, Mohammed, Foulds.

Port Vale (4-4-1-1): Alnwick; Purkiss, Inniss, Duffy, Dickinson; Moore, Foley, Grant, Andoh (Lloyd 88); Dodds; Ikpeazu (Daniel 89).

Subs: Johnson, Streete, C Birchall, Leitch-Smith, McCourt.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.

Attendance: 4,323 (visiting 1,194).