BURY ran League One leaders Scunthorpe close in a top-of-the-table clash in front of a bumper crowd at Gigg Lane but ultimately fell to a narrow defeat.

After Tom Pope and Stephen Dawson hit the post for either side in the first half, Scott Wiseman gave Iron the lead on the stroke of half time.

Tom Soares equalised just before the hour but a stunning goal from English football's leading goalscorer Josh Morris ensured the 5,355 spectators, which included 4,491 home supporters, saw the Shakers suffer their first defeat in eight games.

David Flitcroft was forced into making two changes from the side that won at MK Dons in midweek.

Right-back Craig Jones and star striker James Vaughan both picked up knocks on Tuesday night so Kean Bryan and Hallam Hope came in as their replacements.

The changes did not seem to hinder Bury as they shot out of the blocks and could have taken the lead inside five minutes through Zeli Ismail, but his shot was tipped around the post by Luke Daniels.

A minute later Neil Danns beat his full-back on the left wing and stood up a cross for Pope, who crashed a header against the crossbar.

With Iron's first real attack, Dawson's cross deflected off Greg Leigh and rattled the upright.

But the Shakers continued pressing for the opening goal when Soares lashed a 20-yard volley inches wide of the post.

Two minutes before half time Scunthorpe took the lead.

Former Shaker Tom Hopper drilled a low cross into the penalty area and the arriving Wiseman blasted in from close range.

Flitcroft introduced Tom Walker in the second half to try to unlock the tight Iron defence and the breakthrough arrived when Soares tappped home Ismail's cross from close range.

However, the visitors regained their lead in the 66th minute when Morris curled a stunning shot into the top corner to net his 12th goal of the season.

In response, Leigh and Soares both fired decent opportunities wide.

It was Morris who came the closest to the game's fourth goal when he crashed a 25-yard pile-driver against the crossbar in the 72nd minute.

Bury pushed for an equaliser late on and Mellis forced a great save out of Daniels, while Soares lifted a shot over when played through on goal, but Iron held out for the three points to retain their status as League One leaders.

The Shakers, meanwhile, dropped below Bradford into third place, four points behind Scunthorpe.