ONCE again Bury found themselves on the wrong side of controversial penalty decisions in a local derby defeat – but this time David Flitcroft's anger was not directed at referee Geoff Eltringham.

The Shakers boss feels Wanderers forward Zach Clough went down too easily for both spot kicks, which the 21-year-old then converted to hand the visitors a 2-0 win.

Similar to the previous weekend's loss at Rochdale, when Flitcroft labelled Matthew Lund's penalty award “disgusting", the Bury boss was equally annoyed with the ease with which Clough went to ground and consequently “changed the course of the game.”

“I have looked at them again and spoken to the referee as he came off the pitch to ask him what he thought of the first one and he said he clipped him,” Flitcroft said.

“He was so far away that he thought he had clipped him with his heels, he's obviously not done, but that was his explanation for giving the first one.

“I don't think it's a foul if that's outside the box. Zach had gone down very, very easily – he couldn't wait to jump on the floor.

“The second one Barny (Leon Barnett) has leaned across him, off balance. He (Clough) can almost let Barny fall on the floor and get a shot off but again goes down and gets a penalty awarded.

“The two are very soft penalties and he's (the referee) made a decision that for me changed the course of the game.”

A total of 8,007 fans crammed into Gigg Lane for Bury's largest home attendance in 18 months, just falling short of the gate against Southend in April 2015, when chairman Stewart Day made it free entry.

The home support will have been hoping to see their side extend Wanderers' 87-year wait for a win at Gigg Lane.

Instead, the Shakers slipped to their sixth straight defeat in all competitions, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras to boot.

The loss against Bolton followed derby defeats against Oldham and Rochdale, when Bury also failed to score. 

Sections of the home support voiced their frustration by booing on the final whistle and Flitcroft says he understands that fans' emotions are raw.

“They have booed at quite a few games that we have lost,” he added. “I think any time we lose at home they do boo and that's just something that as a manager I've got to respond to and make sure we give the supporters some positive results.

“I understand what supporters think, I'm a very passionate football fan myself. I am a very passionate football person so I understand what all supporters go through.

“I feel for the supporters, but it's my job to get this group of players together and turn this form around.

“The supporters had waited a long time (to play Bolton in the league) and it's disappointing that we couldn't give them a positive result.

"I'm gutted for that and gutted for the new supporters that might have come along to see a Bury v Bolton derby for the first time.”

Sammy Ameobi gave Bury their first scare in the opening few minutes but Shakers stopper Ben Williams was alert to make a save at his near post.

Bury were creeping back into the game when Antony Kay headed Jacob Mellis' corner into the hands of Mark Howard, but the Bolton keeper's long throw downfield found Clough and he went down under pressure from Niall Maher after bursting into the box.

Eltringham, who was 25 yards behind play, took time to think before pointing to the spot and Clough converted.

The little forward picked off a loose back-pass from Leon Barnett soon after and rounded Williams, but former Bolton defender Maher made a vital goal-line clearance.

The Shakers started the second half well, with winger Danny Mayor causing a few problems down the left without creating any clear-cut chances.

But Clough sealed the win, again from the spot, after Barnett leaned in and bundled the forward to the ground.

Bury remained 11th in the League One table, while Bolton moved up to second.

Match ratings

Bury (4-5-1): Williams 6; Maher 5 (Etuhu 72, 5), Kay 5, Barnett 4 (Tutte 81, 5), Leigh 5; Ismail 5, Soares 5, Danns 5 (Hope 60, 5), Mellis 5, Mayor 6; Vaughan 5. Not used: Rachubka, Burgess, Dudley, Miller.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): Howard; Wilson, Wheater, Beevers, Taylor; Ameobi (Taylor 90), Spearing, Derik, Vela; Clough (Henry 77), Madine (Proctor 76). Not used: Alnwick, Buxton, Perry, Anderson.

Referee: Geoff Eltringam (County Durham)