BURY dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season after twice surrendering the lead to lose 3-2 at home to Oxford.

James Vaughan and Tom Pope both found the net in the first half but the Shakers were twice pegged back by Chris Maguire free-kicks.

Left-back Greg Leigh converted a cross past his own goalkeeper 19 minutes from time to condemn the Shakers to a 12th straight league defeat.

New head coach Chris Brass handed goalkeeper Paul Rachubka his debut as Ben Williams dropped to the bench. Forward George Miller came in for his first start and skipper Antony Kay returned from suspension to partner 16-year-old Jacob Bedeau at the back.

The Shakers made a superb start when Vaughan latched onto Rachubka's long pass forward and lofted the ball over the out-rushing Simon Eastwood to take the lead inside five minutes.

Tom Soares played Miller through on goal a minute later but the forward was thwarted by the keeper.

The electric start showed a glimpse of Bury’s attacking potential – but it is at the back where the problems lie.

Oxford drew level against the run of play when Maguire curled a brilliant 19-yard free-kick into the bottom corner following a needless foul by Tom Soares, which also extended Bury’s search for a clean sheet to 23 games.

The visitors were then in the ascendancy and only a string of fine saves from Rachubka kept the scores level.

Maguire was twice denied by Rachubka before the former Bolton man made a fine save to keep out Rob Hall.

A golden opportunity fell to Maguire midway through the half after great work by Hall down the left, but with the goal gaping the forward lashed wide.

The let off gave Bury the reality check they needed and Pope headed the Shakers back in front on the 39th minute at the second attempt following a fine cross by Scott Burgess.

The lead was cancelled out, again, four minutes later as Maguire produced a carbon copy of his first – curling the ball past Rachubka direct from a free-kick.

Danny Mayor went off at half-time, replaced by Tom Walker, but it was Oxford who continued to ask all the questions as Kane Hemmings rattled the outside of the post.

Bedeau was withdrawn on the hour mark accompanied by physio Paul Morgan as Bury’s injury crisis appeared to worsen – Niall Maher his replacement.

Oxford’s pressure paid dividends in the 71st when Leigh turned Johnson’s low cross into his own net, flipping the game on its head.

The Shakers rallied late on but Oxford held out for the win which sees Bury drop to 22nd in the league table.