BURY were hit for four as they suffered a seventh straight league defeat at home to Southend.

The Shakers' leaky defence, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in the past 17 games, got off to a bad start as Nile Ranger scored his first goal in 735 days before Simon Cox added a second inside the opening 13 minutes.

James Vaughan pulled one back from the penalty spot soon after, but despite controlling possession, Bury conceded further goals from Ranger and Stephen McLaughlin which extends the winless run to 10 matches.

David Flitcroft made two changes from the side that lost to Stoke on penalties in midweek. Niall Maher and Tom Walker dropped to the bench as Leon Barnett and Tom Soares returned to the starting XI.

Bury's patched-up defence could not handle the experienced attacking threats Southend carried early on. Former Newcastle United striker Ranger put the visitors ahead with a fine low strike inside 10 minutes.

The frantic opening exchanges then saw Hallam Hope denied by a fantastic Mark Oxley save, before Vaughan headed wide from Danny Mayor's cross.

In the 13th minute Bury were rocked again as Cox picked up the ball in the penalty area and drilled a low shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

For all of the Shakers' bad luck recently they were awarded a fortunate penalty seven minutes later when Hope went down in the area under pressure from Ben Coker. Vaughan stepped up and ended his seven-match goal drought by sending Oxley the wrong way from the spot.

Rampant Southend smelled blood from Bury's shaky defence and Stephen McLaughlin almost made it three but for a fine one-handed Ben Williams save.

The Shakers found their footing from thereafter and pressed for the equaliser as half-time drew closer without baring any fruits.

Bury continued the momentum after the break with makeshift right-back Neil Danns coming the closest – his deflected 25-yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Oxley.

Against the run of play the Blues extended their lead through Ranger. The striker completed his first career brace by slotting in Cox's cutback after he broke down the left flank.

In a bid to save a result Flitcroft introduced super sub George Miller, who had hit two goals in his last three appearances from the bench, but it was the visitors who soon struck again.

After picking the ball up 30 yards out, McLaughlin left Williams with no chance as he slammed in a stunning strike to wrap up the game with 13 minutes left on the clock.