BURY slipped back into the thick of the League One relegation dogfight following a 2-0 defeat at home to play-off chasing Bradford.

Strikes from Mark Marshall and Charlie Wyke sent Shakers back down to 18th in the table, just one point above the drop zone.

Victories for relegation-rivals Shrewsbury and Oldham, and a draw for Gillingham against Millwall, put the pressure back on Lee Clark’s side with four games of the season remaining.

Craig Jones made a surprise return from injury, replacing right-wing-back Taylor Moore as one of four changes made by the Bury boss from the side that lost 5-1 at Oxford last time out.

Defender Cameron Burgess also returned from international duty meaning Kean Bryan dropped to the bench.

And teenagers Callum Styles and George Miller were handed a starting spot ahead of Jermaine Pennant and Ryan Lowe.

The Shakers had to withstand heavy pressure early on and could have been behind inside eight minutes had Alex Jones not headed Mark Marshall’s cross over when unmarked.

Forward Wyke forced Joe Murphy into a smart save after a mistake from Jones.

That was the injury-dogged full-back's last involvement in the game as he hobbled off with a suspected calf injury, not a recurrence of the thigh injury that has hampered his season.

Bury finished the first half with a flurry of chances. The main opportunity fell at the feet of leading scorer James Vaughan after great work by Styles, but the forward shot wide when through on goal.

However, the striker claimed opposition keeper Colin Doyle got a touch to his effort and was consequently booked for venting his frustrations at the official.

Midfielder Jacob Mellis flashed a shot wide moments later.

On the stroke of half time the Bantams launched a counter-attack in which Marshall was through on goal but Murphy made a vital save to keep the game scoreless.

Vaughan prodded a shot wide after the restart as the two sides began to trade blow for blow.

But the Bantams landed a sucker-punch when Marshall found the bottom corner from 25 yards to put the visitors ahead.

In a bid to hit an instant response Styles tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot was well saved by Doyle.

Striker Ryan Lowe was sent on in place of Moore late on, who had earlier replaced Jones, as Bury switched to a 3-4-3 formation.

It was the visitors who continued to threaten as Jordy Hiwula forced Murphy into a fine save.

Hiwula continued to look lively down the left flank and he crossed for Wyke to tap in the second six minutes from time, which killed off any hopes of a Bury come back.