ERROR-prone Bury were made to pay for defensive mistakes as local rivals Rochdale secured the bragging rights with a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing took full advantage of Bury's nervy defence to bag an early brace before Ashley Eastman added a third in second half.

The loss is the Shakers' 11th in their last 12 away league games as they struggle to replicate their superb home form on the road.

David Flitcroft made two changes from the goalless stalemate with Bradford at Gigg Lane last weekend.

Star striker Leon Clarke was absent as his partner is due to give birth and in stepped debutant Dan Gardner, who joined on loan from Chesterfield earlier in the week.

Tom Soares, playing with a protective face mask, returned following an operation on his fractured cheekbone, while left-back Chris Hussey dropped to the bench.

Bury got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind inside 12 minutes.

Dale skipper Ian Henderson span away from Peter Clarke and when his shot was blocked by Soares, Mendez-Laing was on hand to convert from close range.

The Dale winger had his second of the game six minutes later following a mix up in the Bury defence.

Clarke, Soares and goalkeeper Ian Lawlor failed to deal with a long ball forward and Mendez-Laing nipped in between to steal the ball and roll it into the empty net.

Lawlor had to be on his toes to keep out Donal McDermott's swinging effort on the half-hour mark.

Bury were dealt a cruel blow five minutes later when Ryan Lowe limped off and had to be replaced by Danny Rose.

On the stroke of half-time Clarke came within a whisker of  turning the ball past his own goalkeeper when attempting to clear Jamie Allen's teasing cross but Lawlor produced a wonderful save with his feet to keep it out.

Hussey was introduced at half time in place of John O'Sullivan to add stability to a nervy defence.

The visitors created the first opportunity of the second period but Gardner drilled his long-range effort wide.

Henderson continued to torment the Shakers' defence and when he broke through in the 52nd minute his low shot was tipped around the post brilliantly by Lawlor down to his right.

But from the following Michael Rose corner Eastman leaped the highest to thump a header past the helpless goalkeeper.

Soares demonstrated his frustration at conceding by ripping the mask off his face and throwing it off the pitch.

Sean Clare was brought on for Gardner on the hour mark and added a lively spark to a dull Bury attack.

The 19-year-old Sheffield Wednesday midfielder drove positively towards the Rochdale defence, who backed off, before drilling a shot towards the near post but it was palmed behind by Josh Lillis.

Craig Jones cut in from the right moments later but his effort was saved comfortably by the goalkeeper.

The hosts counter-attacked and Henderson came close to adding a fourth but he lashed a 30-yard shot wide.

Neither side created any clear chances in the final 20 minutes as Rochdale cruised to a very comfortable three points.