BURY Girls and Ladies showed they are not out of the title race just yet after inflicting only the second defeat of the season on league leaders Sir Tom Finney.

A 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture saw Bury lose their grip on top spot in Division One North of the North West Women's Regional League but they made amends in fine style with a 4-1 win on home turf.

The hosts showed real determination from the opening whistle and clearly had rattled the opposition, who went last season unbeaten.

Jordon Bailey put Bury in front after only two minutes and the striker played brilliantly for the remainder of the match, even when she was called upon to defend.

The home side went into the break with a 1-0 advantage but that was quickly wiped out when Sammy Smith was penalised for a heavy tackle and Finney equalised from the resulting penalty.

But Bury's heads did not drop and Kristeen Ferenczi put them back in front in the 51st minute.

Ellie Whittle came on with 20 minutes remaining and within five minutes she set up Leah Tibbott with a perfect pass that was well finished for the third goal.

Tibbott went on to score Bury's final goal of the game with a superb kick from the edge of the boxt.

Despite the three-goal winning margin, Finney never gave up the ghost and it took a superb sliding tackle from Bury's Aymee Openshaw to stop them in their tracks when the visitors looked destined to score at a pivotal moment in the match.

Goalkeeper Tess Duxbury summed up the performance. "Every player played their part in a fantastic team performance that shows we are more than capable of challenging against the top teams.

"It was the best match played all season and truly deserved. Every player on the pitch worked hard for it.”

The result left Bury third in the table, but still six points behind Sir Tom Finney.

Their next match is at second-bottom Kendal Town on Sunday.