LEON Clarke’s fourth-minute opener was quickly cancelled out by Gillingham as the home side roared back to go top of League One.

The Shakers striker headed in Danny Mayor’s pinpoint cross off the underside of the crossbar to register his 11th goal of the season.

But Bury’s joy was shortlived as a quick-fire reply from Dominic Samuel put the Gills level two minutes later and a close-range effort from captain John Egan handed them the lead inside 10 minutes.

And despite a valiant effort from the Shakers, Emmanuel Osadebe’s individual goal late on sealed victory for the home side.

It proved a difficult introduction to league football for 17-year-old goalkeeper Jack Ruddy, who made his first-team debut for David Flitcroft’s men after Paddy Kenny was ruled out with a calf injury.

But apart from a few wayward kicks the teenager acquitted himself well.

He made a great save to keep out a shot from Jake Hessenthaler before Samuel snaffled up the rebound for the equaliser.

And the youngster had no chance as Egan bundled in Harry Lennon’s knockdown from inside the six-yard box to put Gillingham in front.

Ruddy went on to make some decent stops in the second half as Bury pushed for the equaliser.

Substitute Danny Rose came closest for the visitors as his close-range header cleared off the line by Lennon.

But a swirling wind and driving rain made it difficult for either side to keep control of the ball and a mistake always looked like settling it.

So it proved as Osadebe showed great perseverance to take the ball off Reece Brown and then nutmeg Peter Clarke on the byline before sliding the ball under Jack Ruddy's despairing dive.

The Gillingham fans were left to celebrate moving top of the table while Bury remain in the play-off places on goal difference.

GILLINGHAM: Nelson; Jackson, Egan (Oshilaja 90+5), Lennon, Garmston; Osadebe, Wright (A Morris 85), Dack, Hessenthaler; Samuel (McDonald 85), Donnelly.

Subs: G Morris, Loft, McGlashan, Dickenson.

BURY: Ruddy; Riley, Cameron, P Clarke, Hussey; Soares, Mellis (Brown 78), Pugh (Rose 60), Mayor; L Clarke, Pope.

Subs: Sedgwick, Burgess.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Attendance: 6,063 (212 visiting).