SHAKERS boss Kevin Blackwell hailed the second-half performance of captain Steven Schumacher in the 2-0 victory over League One crisis-club Portsmouth.

Blackwell described Schumacher as “immense”, but admitted he and the club skipper had a heated discussion in the dressing room at half time as he castigated his entire team for a below-par performance, despite their one-goal lead.

“We had words at half time, me and Schuey,” said the manager. “I think he is better than he was in the first half.

“But after they went back out, I thought he was immense.

“It was as good a midfield display as I’ve seen from anyone – tackling, on-the-ball composure, pressing.

“For me, it was a 50 per cent improvement from the first-half performance so, as far as I am concerned, Schuey well done.”

It was Schumacher who grabbed the all-important second goal for Bury from the penalty spot after Dominic Poleon was felled in the Pompey penalty area by left-back Carl Dickinson.

And he might have scored with a mazy run late on, but his left-foot shot went wide.