JAMES Vaughan scored four goals as Bury ended a club-record 20-game winless run by thrashing Peterborough 5-1.

Tom Nichols gave the Posh an early lead but Vaughan struck four times in 20 first-half minutes to completely change the course of the game.

In the process, the 28-year-old became the first player to score four goals in a single match since Phil Stant, who completed the feat in October, 1995, in a 5-1 victory over Mansfield.

Substitute George Miller added a fifth late on to ensure the Shakers climbed out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Chris Brass made three changes to the side that lost to Scunthorpe last weekend.

Youth team graduates Jacob Bedeau, Callum Styles and George Miller all dropped to the bench as Jacob Mellis and Hallam Hope returned to the starting line-up.

Defender Cameron Burgess also came in for his debut after joining on loan from Fulham last week.

Peterborough made a dream start when Nichols tapped in the opening goal inside four minutes after Rob Lainton had spilled Gwion Edwards’ effort at the forward’s feet.

But Bury responded superbly and drew level three minutes later when Vaughan smashed the ball into the top corner after being played through by Scott Burgess.

In the 17th minute Jacob Mellis’ stinging volley was tipped over the bar by Luke McGee, but from the resulting corner Vaughan scooped low to head home his second.

Straight from the resulting kick-off the Posh launched an offensive and should have equalised through Paul Taylor but Lainton got a strong right hand on the ball to keep it out.

Vaughan completed his hat-trick in the 25th minute with an instinctive finish to convert Tom Pope’s low cross.

Two minutes later the 28-year-old got his and Bury’s fourth when he converted Taylor Moore’s cross from the right.

The striker was inches away from grabbing his fifth when he flashed a header wide from Greg Leigh’s dangerous cross just before half time.

Peterborough boss Grant McCann made all three changes at the break in a bid to salvage something from the game.

And substitute Lee Angol was a lick of paint away from pulling one back when he rattled the crossbar.

Vaughan then hit the post as the two sides continued to trade blows.

Substitute George Miller wrapped up the win in the 72nd minute by adding a fifth when he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an empty net from an acute angle.

Bury continued to press late on as Scott Burgess and Hallam Hope came close but the game was already over and Shakers won for the first time since September.