BURY put an end to their away-day blues with a much-needed victory over local rivals Oldham at Boundary Park.

Leon Clarke notched his 15th goal of the season early in the game and it proved to be enough to seal a first league win on the road for the Shakers in three months.

The one-goal victory, which ended a seven-game losing streak away from home in the league, could have been more conclusive but Andrew Tutte's second-half effort came back off the crossbar.

Ian Lawlor continued his impressive from, making a number of fine saves which ensured the three points returned to Gigg Lane.

David Flitcroft made one enforced change to the side that knocked Bradford out of the FA Cup in midweek.

Skipper Nathan Cameron was sent off in that victory and therefore suspended. His replacement came in the form of Peter Clarke, who recently recovered from a knee injury.

Leon Clarke gave Bury a dream start by pouncing on a mistake by James Wilson before slotting the ball past Joel Coleman to give his side an early lead.

The Shakers looked surprisingly fresh considering their 120-minute dogfight against the Bantams in midweek and could have gone two-nil up had Coleman not clung on to Leon Clarke's prodded effort following Chris Hussey's corner.

The hosts grew into the game and came within a whisker of equalising through Liam Kelly, who was an inch away from connecting with Jonathan Forte's left-wing cross.

Tutte found himself on the end of some neat build-up play from Tom Soares and Leon Clarke but he flashed his volley wide.

Tuesday night's hero Lawlor had to be at his brilliant best to tip Matthew Palmer's 20-yard strike over the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

That save proved to be just a warm up for the 21-year-old as the Latics came out firing on all cylinders in the second half.

The Manchester City loanee first flew to his right to palm Mike Jones' curling free-kick away to safety before saving and holding Carl Winchester's hurtling long-range effort two minutes later.

Bury weathered the storm and created a chance to add some breathing space in the 67th minute.

Kelvin Etuhu fed Leon Clarke in the penalty area who slid the ball sideways to an unmarked Tutte but he lifted his shot against the top of the crossbar.

Utility man Craig Jones and young forward Danny Rose were welcomed back from their respective injuries late on with brief appearances from the substitutes' bench.

Oldham applied a little pressure in an attempt to snatch a share of the spoils at the end but Bury held out for a much-needed three points on the road.