LEON Clarke silenced the Coventry boo-boys with a two-goal salvo that secured all three points in a high quality League One encounter at Gigg Lane.

The in-form striker was one of six former Sky Blues players in the Bury matchday squad and the visiting support let them know about it, with a chorus of boos greeting their every touch.

But his late substitution produced the loudest cheer of the day as the home supporters gave their match winner a rousing standing ovation.

His brace, which included a well-taken shot from a clever free kick from Chris Hussey, another ex-Coventry player, and a second-half penalty, put the Shakers in the driving seat.

And while the visitors’ giant centre-back Reda Johnson set up a grandstand finish with a 63rd-minute header, David Flitcroft’s men held firm to claim a fourth straight victory.

“I am delighted for the players,” said the Bury boss. “I keep telling them that the work during the week is what gets you wins on a Saturday.

"You have got to be prepared to put more hours in than anyone else and the players and my staff are doing that.

"They have deserved that reward of going four wins on the bounce.

"The detail, the planning, the preparation and application is there for everyone to see.”

The win moved Bury up to fifth in the table, level with Coventry on 16 points.

They remain five points behind league leaders Burton, but after also beating top six sides Sheffield United and Walsall in their current run, Flitcroft’s players have shown they can compete with the very best in League One.

Their meticulous preparation was clear to see in the opening goal, which came straight off the training ground.

Hussey spotted Clarke in space on the edge of the box and pulled his free kick back to the striker, who buried it into the top corner.

The Bury full-back continued to terrorise the home defence with his pinpoint deliveries and captain Nathan Cameron – another former Coventry player - headed his 39th-minute corner against the bar.

There was a whiff of controversy about the Shakers’ second goal after referee Nigel Miller took an age to award them a 51st-minute penalty following Johnson’s barge on Clarke as the ball ran out for a goal kick.

It looked as if the referee’s assistant made the call, but Clarke kept his cool as the Coventry players protested on the touchline. And despite visiting stopper Lee Burge getting a hand to his spot kick it was hit with enough venom to make it into the bottom corner.

“The guy is pure class, there’s no doubt about that,” added Flitcroft, after Clarke took his tally for the season to seven goals.

“The finish for the first goal is absolutely outstanding and he also took the penalty beautifully. The composure he has got is the mark of the top player he is.”

Johnson made up for his rash challenge on Clarke to head in the rebound after the Bury defence failed to clear an Adam Armstrong corner and Shakers keeper Rob Lainton had to be on his toes to deny substitute Marcus Tudgay an equaliser from close range.

Coventry captain Sam Ricketts then rattled the crossbar with a rasping drive but Flitcroft’s men were not to be denied another deserved three points.

RATINGS

BURY (4-1-4-1): Lainton 8; Riley 8, Cameron 8, P Clarke 8, Hussey 9; Soares 8; Jones 7, Pugh 7 (Brown 6 75), Mellis 7 (Rose 6 71), Mayor 7; L Clarke 9 (Hope 90+4).

Not used: Ruddy, Dudley, Mohammed, Foulds.

COVENTRY CITY (4-2-3-1): Burge; Ricketts, Martin, Johnson, Stokes; Fleck, Vincelot; O'Brien (Fortune 60), Kent, Murphy (Tudgay 60); Armstrong.

Not used: Charles-Cook, C Thomas, Morris, Phillips, G Thomas.

Scorers: Bury – Clarke 19 & 51 pen. Coventry City – Johnson 63.

Yellow cards: Bury – N/A. Coventry City – Aaron Martin 50.

Referee: Nigel Miller.

Attendance: 4,526 (1,041 visiting).

Star man: Leon Clarke – The summer signing was described as pure class by his manager after Saturday’s display and after his goals secured Bury a fourth straight win you can hardly argue with that. Chris Hussey showed his class as well to set him up for the opener but Clarke still had plenty to do to apply the finish. He was also calmness personified when tucking away the penalty. And after taking his tally to seven for the season on Saturday the question is now how far his goals can take Bury.