LEE Clark hailed Bury legend Ryan Lowe after the forward netted the decisive goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Charlton.

The 38-year-old scored a first-half winner with his only chance of the game to clinch maximum points which added much-needed breathing space on League One’s bottom four.

The win moved Bury up to 19th in the table, three points clear of the drop zone.

Clark has started Lowe in both of his two games in charge and he is delighted with the way the experienced striker carries himself, both on and off the pitch.

“He has done that all of his career and he has still got the knack,” Clark said of Lowe’s match-winning strike. “You never lose it, he’s a very experienced campaigner, he looks after himself terrifically well and is a great example to the young players we have in the group.

“I’m delighted that Ryan’s goal has proved to be the winner.”

Clark also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who made a handful of stunning stops to maintain Bury’s lead.

After initially hitting the crossbar, Addicks forward Lee Novak forced Murphy into a magnificent save from point-blank range.

The duel between Novak and Murphy heated up into the second period as the on-loan Huddersfield stopper continued to shine, making a fantastic one-handed save down to his right to keep out a header from six yards.

Murphy had to be at his best again to push away a shot away which deflected off Cameron Burgess in the 71st minute.

Clark added: “Joe was in terrific form for us. All defenders and goalkeepers pride themselves on the clean sheets. That’s their main task.

“I have been very impressed with him since I came through the door. He is experienced, his ability as a goalkeeper, his communication; I’m very impressed.”

The win means Bury have picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 and have lost only once in the last eight games.

Current form means the Shakers are one of the hottest teams in the division.

Clark said: “We enjoy these moments,” he said. “When you win any football match the feeling is fantastic because it’s a group thing and that’s how we won today.

“We have done some great things in terms of possession of the ball and made some good chances but we have had to dig deep as well in terms of our defensive display.

“All in all a good day in terms of the points that we want to try and get to.

“It’s four games unbeaten, it’s 10 points from 12 and three clean sheets. It’s a terrific run and we’re probably one of the form teams in the division.”