BURY boss David Flitcroft thanked the fans for turning out in force to watch his side push League One leaders Scunthorpe United right to the wire in Saturday's 2-1 defeat.

The 5,300-strong turn-out, almost 4,500 of which were Shakers supporters, for the top-of-the-table clash was Bury's biggest home attendance of the season.

Fans from both sides were treated to a tight contest. Scott Wiseman gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half time before Tom Soares equalised on the hour.

But as Bury regrouped following their goal and started the push for a winner they were shocked by a Josh Morris stunner, with the Football League's top scorer curling in a sumptuous strike in the 66th minute that kept the Iron top and saw the Shakers drop to third.

Despite suffering defeat, Flitcroft was proud of his side's performance as they went toe-to-to with the division's early pace-setters.

“I thank the fans that have come and supported us today, they were really strong,” Flitcroft said. “There will be spikes and there will be changes but the attendance today was encouraging.

“Even though we got beat, after the game they were fantastic to give the lads a round of applause and that will mean a lot to them.

"The player in form – Morris – it was an absolute worldie of a goal, which deserved to win a football match of such importance.

"It wasn't a scrappy goal that we conceded, it was an absolute wonder goal.

"I've just watched it back and it's absolutely unstoppable.

"We've got beat and it's on our home turf and it hurts, but we walk out of here with our heads held high because we've given each other everything that we've got.

"The whole team has given each other everything and I can't ask for any more than that.”

Bury started the brightest and could have taken the lead through Zeli Ismail inside five minutes but his shot was tipped around the post by Luke Daniels.

A minute later Neil Danns beat his full-back on the left wing and stood a cross up for Tom Pope who crashed a header against the bar. Moments before Danns himself had a header cleared off the line.

But Scunthorpe took the lead two minutes before half time. Former Shaker Tom Hopper drilled a low cross into the penalty area and the arriving Wiseman blasted in from close range.

The Shakers drew level on 58 minutes when Soares tapped home Ismail's cross from close range.

However, the visitors quickly regained their lead when Morris curled a stunning shot into the top corner to net his 12th goal of the season.

The in-form striker came close to adding to his tally when he crashed a 25-yard pile-driver against the bar in the 72nd minute.

Bury rallied late on as Jacob Mellis and Soares went close but Bury dropped to third, below Bradford, as the Iron clung on for all three points.

Match ratings

Bury (4-4-2): Williams 6; Maher 6 (Etuhu 82, 6), Bryan 7, Kay 6, Leigh 7; Ismail 6, Soares 7, Mellis 7, Danns 6 (Walker 56, 6); Pope 6, Hope 6 (Dudley 67, 6). Not used: Rachubka, Tutte, Bedeau, Burgess.

Scunthorpe United (4-3-3): Daniels; Wiseman, Mirfin, Wallace, Toffolo; Dawson, Bishop, Smallwood (Mantom 82); Morris (Goode 90), Hopper, Holmes (Van Veen 78). Not used: Madden, Adelakun, Townsend, Anyon.

Referee: David Webb (Lancashire).