DAVID Flitcroft called for unity as he bids to find a solution to Bury's abysmal away form.

Another slow start, which was also evident in the defeats to Coventry and Wigan, saw the Shakers fighting an uphill battle for majority of the 3-0 defeat against Rochdale.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing took full advantage of Bury's makeshift defence, of which three of the back four were natural midfielders, to bag an early brace, which Flitcroft said “dragged the spirit” out of his players.

Former Shaker Ashley Eastham added a third in the second half to wrap up the three points.

The loss was Bury's 11th in their last 12 away games in the league, which amazingly contrasts with only one league defeat in four months at Gigg Lane.

And after the game the manager insisted that the side would get through the tough patch if everyone fights together.

“They (the fans) travelled in their numbers and they deserved better than what we threw out as a group,” Flitcroft said. “We have got to stay strong, we have got to stay together and make sure that we fight together.

“The goals we conceded, certainly the first two and then a set-piece, you can't keep conceding those goals.

“You can see it drag the spirit out of the players. Mendez-Laing has got half a yard in the box to score the first goal. I didn't see Ryan Lowe or (Danny) Rosey getting half a yard in the box.

“We are going from one extreme at home to another extreme away from home. We have got to find a solution and we have got to find it quick. It is difficult.”

Flitcroft had limited options to choose from in his team selection.

Rob Lainton, Nathan Cameron, Joe Riley, Jacob Mellis, Kelvin Etuhu, George Miller and Tom Pope were all missing through injury, and Leon Clarke was absent as his wife was in labour.

Chris Hussey and Craig Jones added increasing concern as they struggled with injury and illness in the build-up, and the Bury boss admitted that the injuries had taken their toll on the side's preparation.

“It has been a difficult week in preparation,” Flitcroft explained. “I had players out there who physically weren't prepared for the game. (Craig) Jones has struggled to train this week with a knee complaint.

“Chris Hussey has not trained all week on medical grounds. He's lucky to be here with what he's had this week.

“It's a difficult one. It's a patchwork team and it looked like that. It didn't look right and it didn't feel right.

“We have not been able to get players on the pitch. It is the first time in a long time that I've named my team on the day of the game. We had two fitness checks this morning.

“Usually I'm naming it sometimes on a Thursday, usually on a Friday.”

Bury fell behind inside 12 minutes as Dale skipper Ian Henderson span away from Peter Clarke and had a shot blocked by Tom Soares, who started the game wearing a protective face mask, but 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, Jones and Ian Lawlor failed to deal with a long ball forward by the Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis and Mendez-Laing nipped in between to steal the ball and roll it into the empty net.

The Shakers were dealt a cruel blow five minutes later when Lowe limped off with a calf injury and had to be replaced by Rose.

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

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

But Henderson continued to torment the Shakers' back-line, 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, Eastham rose highest to thump a header past the helpless keeper.

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

The on-loan midfielder drove at the Rochdale defence, who backed off, before drilling a shot towards the near post, but it was palmed behind by Lillis.

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

Despite a much-improved final third of the match, Bury failed to give their supporters anything to cheer about but they do remain 15th in League One.

Bury (4-4-1-1): Lawlor 5; Jones 4, P Clarke 4, Soares 4, Pugh 4; O'Sullivan 5 (Hussey 45, 5), Brown 3, Tutte 4, Gardner 4 (Clare 61, 6); Mayor 4; Lowe 5 (Rose 33, 5). Not used: Ruddy, Sedgwick, Burgess.

Rochdale (4-3-3): Lillis; Rafferty, Canavan, Eastham, McNulty; Lund (Bennett 90), Rose, Allen; McDermott (Camps 74), Henderson, Mendez-Laing (Bunney 80). Not used: Vincenti, Collis, Bell, Hooper.

Goals: Rochdale 3 – Mendez-Laing 12, 18 Eastham 53. Bury 0.

Yellow cards: Rochdale - None. Bury – Gardner 26.

Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland).

Attendance: 4,538.

STAR MAN: Sean Clare - The 19-year-old came off the bench and showed the hunger and desire to get on the ball, which was missing from the Bury team for the opening hour. The Sheffield Wednesday loanee made an instant impact with a menacing run which almost resulted in a goal. The Nike Academy graduate has clearly got talent and looked very positive on the ball.